The Rutherford atom has a small, positively charged nucleus, so most a particles will pass through empty space far from the nucleus and not be deflected. Those a
particles that pass near the nucleus will be deflected from their paths due to
positive-positive repulsion. Which of the following would be true for an atom with
fewer protons than gold in its nucleus?
A) The alpha particle fired at the nucleus
would have the same strength of repulsive
forces deflecting it, even if the atom's nucleus
had fewer protons than gold.
B) If there were fewer protons in the atom's
nucleus, it would not deflect the alpha
particle.
C) The alpha particle fired at the nucleus
would have stronger repulsive forces
deflecting it, if the atom's nucleus had fewer
protons than gold.
D) The alpha particle fired at the nucleus
would have weaker repulsive forces deflecting
it, if the atom's nucleus had fewer protons than
gold