In Rutherford's experiment, generally thin foil of heavy atoms, like gold, platinum etc. have been used to bombard the alpha-particles. If the thin foil of light atoms like aluminium is used, what difference would be observed from the above results?

In Rutherford's experiment, generally thin foil of heavy atoms, like g

1.	In Rutherford's experiment, generally thin foil of heavy atoms, like gold, platinum etc. have been used to bombard the alpha-particles. If the thin foil of light atoms like aluminium is used, what difference would be observed from the above results?
Answer» SOLUTION :Heavy atoms like gold, platinum have heavy nucleus. Heavy nucleus contains large AMOUNT of POSITIVE charge. When a beam of a `alpha` - particles is shot at a thin gold foil, most of them pass through without MUCH effect. Some are deflected back due to enomous repulsive force of heavy nucleus. If thin foil is made of light ALUMINIUM, then the number of `alpha`-particles deflected back will be negligible.