In interpreting Rutherford's experiments on the scattering of alpha particles by thin foils, one must examine what the known factors were, and what the experiment concluded. Which of the following is true in this context?

Moderate

A

The number of electrons in the target atoms (i.e., Z) was settled by these experiments.
B

The validity of Coulomb's law for distances as small as 10^-13 was known before these experiments.
C

The experiments settled that size of the nucleus could not be larger than a certain value.
D

The experiments settled that size of the nucleus could not be smaller than a certain value.

Solution

(a) Z was taken from X-ray scattering experiments.
(b) Validity not known earlier; established by Rutherford's experiments.
(c) Yes, the experiments said $r < \frac{Z e^{2}}{2 π ε_{0} (\frac{1}{2} m v^{2})}$
This sets upper limit for r.
(d) Lower limit of r not set

Get Instant Solutions

When in doubt download our app. Now available Google Play Store- Doubts App

Recieve an sms with download link

SCAN ME