Question

atomic structure unit test
you plan to pass alpha particles through a field that contains a consistent type of particle. which configuration will result in the largest deflection of alpha particles? (1 point)
○ low - energy alpha particles passing through a field of low mass - number particles
○ low - energy alpha particles passing through a field of high mass - number particles
○ high - energy alpha particles passing through a field of low mass - number particles
○ high - energy alpha particles passing through a field of high mass - number particles

Explanation:

To determine the largest deflection of alpha particles, we analyze the factors:

1. Energy of alpha particles: Lower energy means less momentum, so the alpha particle is more easily deflected by interactions with other particles.
2. Mass - number of target particles: Higher mass - number particles have more charge (since mass number is related to the number of protons and neutrons, and protons contribute to charge). More charge means a stronger electrostatic interaction with the positively charged alpha particle, leading to a larger deflection.

Now let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: Low - energy alpha particles (easier to deflect) and low - mass - number particles (weaker interaction). Not the largest deflection.
• Option 2: Low - energy alpha particles (easier to deflect) and high - mass - number particles (stronger interaction). This combination will lead to the largest deflection as low - energy particles are more susceptible to deflection and high - mass - number particles provide a stronger force to deflect them.
• Option 3: High - energy alpha particles (harder to deflect) and low - mass - number particles (weaker interaction). Not the largest deflection.
• Option 4: High - energy alpha particles (harder to deflect) and high - mass - number particles. The high energy makes the alpha particle less likely to be deflected significantly, so this is not the largest deflection.

Answer:

low - energy alpha particles passing through a field of high - mass - number particles (the second option in the list of choices)