In Rutherford's experiment, generally the thin foil of heavy atoms like gold, platinum, etc., have been used to be bombarded by the $\alpha$-particles. If the thin foil of light atoms like aluminium, etc., is used, what difference would be observed from the above results?

Question

In Rutherford's experiment, generally the thin foil of heavy atoms like gold, platinum, etc., have been used to be bombarded by the $\alpha$-particles. If the thin foil of light atoms like aluminium, etc., is used, what difference would be observed from the above results?,

MARKS App · Accepted Answer

Heavy atoms have a heavy nucleus carrying a large amount of positive charge. Hence some $\alpha$-particles are easily deflected back on hitting the nucleus. Also a number of $\alpha$-particles are deflected through small angles because of large positive charge on the nucleus. If light atoms are used, their nuclei will be light and moreover, they will have small positive charge on the nucleus. Hence, the number of particles deflected back and those deflected through some angle will be negligible or lesser.

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