Ernest Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment Conclusion

Ernest Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment

In 1909, Ernest Rutherford conducted an experiment that would lead to the discovery of the existence of subatomic particles, which later became known as “Protons.”

He did this by firing alpha particles at thin sheets of gold foil. Rutherford found that about half the time, the alpha particles went straight through the foil, but the other half the time, the alpha particles were deflected at very large angles.

Rutherford originally believed that the alpha particles were coming into contact with a thin layer of gas on the surface of the foil, producing the deflection, but later experiments revealed that the majority of the deflection came from subatomic particles that are slightly smaller than alpha particles.

Rutherford’s experiment with gold foil is considered one of the greatest discoveries of science.

The 1909 Ernest Rutherford experiment was to prove the existence of subatomic particles such as protons and neutrons. Rutherford fired alpha particles at thin sheets of gold foil.

Some of these alpha particles were deflected at large angles, while others passed directly through.

Rutherford originally thought that the alpha particles were coming into contact with a thin layer of gas on the surface of the foil, producing the deflection.

Later experiments, however, showed that most of the deflection came from subatomic particles that are slightly smaller than alpha particles. Rutherford’s experiment with gold foil is now considered one of the greatest discoveries in science.

From this experiment, he concluded that the atom must be mostly empty space, with the nuclear bits being in the center.

This experiment is also an example of a nuclear reaction and is considered to be the first demonstration that all atoms are not indestructible.

In the experiment, a radioactive source is inserted in between two sheets of gold foil, and a thin lead sheet was interposed between the radium source and the foil.

Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment Results

Rutherford experimented by firing a beam of alpha particles into a sheet of gold foil and observed that most of the alpha particles flew through the gold foil with very little scattering.