When $α$ -particle are sent through a thin metal foil, most of them go straight through the foil because.

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$α$ -particles are much lighter than electrons

most part of the atom is empty space

$α$ -particle move with high velocity

$α$ -particles are positively charged

answer is C.

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Detailed Solution

In Rutherford's alpha scattering experiment, when we pass the alpha particle on gold foil there are a few observations which is recorded as;

1. Most of the particles remain undeflected

2. Some of the particles are deflected through a small angles.

3. Very few particles are deflected by 1800 and came back
So we can conclude from that;

Atom has most space as empty.
A very small mass is concentrated in a small area called a nucleus.
The mass of an atom is concentrated at the central nucleus and the remaining part is empty.
Therefore, the positively charged alpha particles when sent through metal foil go straight through the foil.

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