Question

1. using your notes, complete the table below to describe our current understanding of the atom and its subatomic particles.

subatomic particle
charge
location of particle (inside or outside of nucleus?)
relative mass of particle (heavy or light?)

1. how does rutherfords gold foil experiment prove that atoms are mostly empty space?

Explanation:

1. Protons:

• Charge: Positive.
• Location: Inside the nucleus.
• Relative Mass: Heavy.

1. Neutrons:

• Charge: Neutral.
• Location: Inside the nucleus.
• Relative Mass: Heavy.

1. Electrons:

• Charge: Negative.
• Location: Outside the nucleus.
• Relative Mass: Light.
• Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment: In this experiment, alpha - particles were directed at a thin gold foil. Most of the alpha - particles passed straight through the foil, which indicated that most of the space within the atom is empty. Only a small fraction of the alpha - particles were deflected or bounced back, suggesting that the positive charge and most of the mass of the atom are concentrated in a very small, dense nucleus at the center of the atom.

Answer:

Subatomic Particle	Charge	Location of Particle (Inside or Outside of Nucleus)	Relative Mass of Particle (Heavy or Light)
Neutron	Neutral	Inside the nucleus	Heavy
Electron	Negative	Outside the nucleus	Light

Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment proved that atoms are mostly empty space because most of the alpha - particles passed straight through the gold foil.