What did the alpha scattering experiment reveal?
A) Electrons are evenly distributed throughout the atom’s volume.
B) Electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels.
C) The nucleus contains protons and neutrons at its center.
D) Electrons and protons are roughly equal in mass.
Correct Answer:
C) The nucleus contains protons and neutrons at its center.
Explanation:
The Alpha Scattering Experiment conducted by Ernest Rutherford in 1909 revealed that the majority of an atom’s mass is concentrated in a tiny, dense nucleus at its center, which contains positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. Electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels, but they do not make up a significant portion of the atom’s mass. This experiment was a groundbreaking moment in understanding the structure of the atom.
