In order to put up Rutherford's model, what type of metal foil did the scientist use?

The correct answer is Gold.

Key Points

• Rutherford's model of the atom was developed using a gold foil experiment.
• The experiment was conducted by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden under the supervision of Ernest Rutherford in 1909.
• Gold was chosen because it is highly malleable, allowing it to be hammered into very thin sheets.
• The thin gold foil was used to observe the scattering of alpha particles to infer the structure of the atom.
• This experiment led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus.

Additional Information

• Alpha Particles:
  • Alpha particles are positively charged particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons.
  • They are emitted during the radioactive decay of certain elements like uranium and radium.
• Scattering Experiment:
  • In the gold foil experiment, alpha particles were directed at a thin sheet of gold.
  • Most particles passed through, but some were deflected at large angles, indicating a dense, positively charged nucleus.
• Rutherford's Atomic Model:
  • The model proposed that atoms consist of a small, dense nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.
  • This nucleus contains most of the atom's mass and all of its positive charge.
• Malleability of Gold:
  • Gold's malleability allows it to be hammered into extremely thin sheets, essential for the experiment's success.
  • Its durability and resistance to tarnish make gold ideal for experimental use.