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This question is about gold and compounds of gold - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 6
This question is about gold and compounds of gold. In the alpha particle scattering experiment alpha particles are fired at gold foil. Alpha particles are positive... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about gold and compounds of gold - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
What two conclusions can be made from the results?
Answer
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Atoms have a positively charged nucleus. This conclusion can be drawn because the majority of alpha particles pass through the gold foil without deflection, indicating that most of the atom's volume is empty space, but those that did deflect at large angles suggest a concentrated positive charge in a small area.
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Mass is concentrated in the nucleus in the centre of atoms. The deflection patterns of the alpha particles suggest that the mass of the atom is concentrated in a very small central nucleus, as this is where the positive charge is located, influencing the path of the alpha particles.