Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Question 38

In an experiment on α-particle scattering, α-particles are directed at a thin gold foil. Most of the α-particles pass straight through the foil or are deflected by a small angle. A small number of α-particles are deflected by a large angle. Which statement cannot be deduced from this experiment?

1. AAtoms are mostly empty space.
2. BMost of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
3. CThe nucleus of an atom contains protons.
4. DThe nucleus of an atom is small compared to the size of an atom.

As printed in the paper