Why do most alpha particles pass straight through a thin gold foil?
AElectrons absorb their energy
BMost of the atom is empty space
CGold atoms are neutral overall
DAlpha particles are uncharged
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Most of the atom is empty space
Since the nucleus is tiny compared with the atom, most alpha particles meet nothing that deflects them.
Related questions
Which hydrogen series, ending at n = 6, was discovered in 1953?Which hydrogen series ends on the n = 4 level?The hydrogen series ending at n = 1 is named after which physicist?Which spectral region contains the Paschen series of hydrogen?Balmer series lines arise when the electron falls to which level?In which region of the spectrum does the Lyman series of hydrogen lie?A hydrogen electron falls from n = 3 to n = 2. What photon energy is emitted?The n = 3 orbit of hydrogen has what radius compared with the n = 1 orbit?