Question

Why is an alpha-particle assumed to suffer only a single scattering?

Options

• The nucleus is positively charged.

• The gold foil is thin.

• The atom is of the order of \[10^{-10}\,\mathrm{m}\].

• The detector is placed at specific angles.

Answer 1

Rutherford assumed that an alpha-particle suffers only a single scattering because the gold foil is thin. The thin foil makes repeated scattering unnecessary in this analysis.