Give two properties of an electron - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 10 - 2008
Question 10
Give two properties of an electron.
The diagram shows the arrangement used by Rutherford to investigate the structure of the atom. During the investigation he fired... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Give two properties of an electron - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 10 - 2008
Step 1
What are alpha-particles?
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Answer
Alpha-particles are positively charged particles that consist of two protons and two neutrons. They are essentially helium nuclei and can be classified as a type of ionizing radiation.
Step 2
Describe what happened to the alpha-particles during the experiment.
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During the experiment, most alpha-particles passed straight through the gold foil, indicating that atoms are mostly empty space. However, some alpha-particles were deflected at various angles, showing that there is a dense nucleus at the center of the atom. A small percentage even bounced back, which provided crucial evidence for the structure of the atom.
Step 3
What conclusion did Rutherford make about the structure of the atom?
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Rutherford concluded that the atom consists of a dense central nucleus that contains most of its mass, while the electrons orbit this nucleus in a relatively large amount of empty space, confirming that atoms are not solid structures.
Step 4
How are the electrons arranged in the atom?
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Electrons are arranged in orbits or energy levels around the nucleus. They occupy specific energy states and move quickly, creating a 'cloud' of negative charge that outlines the atom.
Step 5
Name a device used to detect alpha-particles.
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A Geiger-Muller counter is commonly used to detect alpha-particles. Other devices include photographic film and scintillation counters.
Step 6
Why was it necessary to carry out this experiment in a vacuum?
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It was necessary to conduct the experiment in a vacuum to prevent alpha-particles from colliding with air molecules, which would scatter them and interfere with the results. This ensured that the particles maintained their paths for accurate observations.
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