Question

in rutherfords gold foil experiment, most particles went straight through. why? *
they hit the nucleus
the atom is thin
the atom is mostly empty space
the atom is too small

the overall charge of an atom is: *
neutral
positive
negative

what is a nucleus? *
cloud where electrons float
center of atom where mass lives
orbitals around the atom
center of atom with no mass

Explanation:

• For the Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment question: Rutherford's experiment showed that atoms have a small, dense nucleus. Since most particles went straight through, it implies that the atom is mostly empty space. Particles hitting the nucleus would be deflected, the atom's thinness or small - size (in a general sense) are not the key reasons compared to the empty - space concept.
• For the overall charge of an atom: An atom has an equal number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge). So, the overall charge is neutral.
• For the nucleus definition: The nucleus is the center of the atom where most of the mass (due to protons and neutrons) is located. Electrons are in the electron cloud, orbitals are regions where electrons are likely to be found, and the nucleus has mass.

Answer:

• First question: the atom is mostly empty space
• Second question: neutral
• Third question: center of atom where mass lives