Describe the Rutherford's alpha particle scattering experiment. What are the conclusions of this experiment.

Explanation

Rutherford conducted alpha particle scattering experiment in 1909 to study the atom.

1) The stream of alpha particles from a source having considerable energy is directed towards a very thin gold foil.
2) The gold foil was placed inside a detector in such a way that the detector would show a flash of light when an alpha particle struck it.
3) The entire arrangement was kept in a vacuum chamber.
4) Rutherford did not expect to see large deflections of alpha particles based on Thomson's model.
5) But Rutherford observed the deflection of alpha particles through very large angles and a few alpha particles through very large angles and a few alpha particles were reflected right back.
6) From this observation, Rutherford concluded as follows.
Conclusions :
1) Most of the space inside the atom is empty.
2) All the positive charge must be concentrated in a very small space within the atom and he named it as 'nucleus'.