In Rutherford's experiment, generally the thin foil of heavy atoms, such as gold, platinum, etc. have been used to be bombarded by the `alpha`-particles. If the thin foil of light atoms such as aluminium atc. Is used, what difference would be observed form the above results?

Explanation

Heavy atoms have a heavy nucleus carrying a large amount of positive charge. Hence, some `alpha-`particles are easily deflected back on hitting the nucleus. Also a number of `alpha`-particles are deflected through small angles because of large positive charge on the nucleus. If light atoms are used, their nuclei will be light and moreover, they will have small positive charge on the nucleus. Hence, the number of particles deflected back and those deflected through some angle will be negligible