VHI Tech Lab

Rutherford Scattering

Coulomb Scattering Model
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Deflected0%
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Max angle0 deg
Watch the yellow alpha beam travel left to right through the gold foil. Drag the nucleus inside the foil to change close approaches. Most particles pass through; a few bend sharply.

Core Ideas

1. Alpha Source

The source sends alpha particles, symbol α, toward a thin sheet of gold foil. Each alpha particle is positively charged, so it is repelled by positive protons.

2. Gold Foil

The foil is made of gold atoms. Inside each atom, protons p+ and neutrons n form a tiny nucleus, while electrons e- are outside it.

3. What You See

Most α particles pass through empty space. Particles passing close to the positive nucleus bend away, and rare very close particles can bounce backward.

Test Yourself

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