Put tick (√) against correct choice and cross (×) against wrong choice:

In Rutherford's gold foil experiment, occasionally the alpha particle veered from a straight-line path. This observation leads to which conclusion?

a) The positive region of the atom is very small.

b) The majority of the atom must consist of empty space.

c) The alpha particle makes a direct hit on the positive region.

d) The positive region of the atom is very dense

a) The positive region of the atom is very small. √

b) The majority of the atom must consist of empty space. X

c) The alpha particle makes a direct hit on the positive region. √

d) The positive region of the atom is very dense √

Explanation:

Option (a): since alpha particles veered from the path occasionally this lead to conclusion that the positive region of the atom is very small because if it would have been large the alpha particles would have deflected frequently.

Option (b): the conclusion that majority of the atom has empty space is derived from fact that most of particles passed straight without any deflection.

Option (c): the deviation of alpha particles from their straight path confirms that they must have been hit by a positive charged region (because alpha particles are also positively charged) and got repelled back.

Option (d): since the repulsion or deviation from the original path is strong it confirms that the positive region of the atom is very dense