How was the nucleus discovered?
Newspaper Special: Read all about Rutherford's discoveries 1909
Photo creds: http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/images/ruther.460.gif
One breezy afternoon in 1909, Ernest Rutherford, an unsuspecting young scientist, came across an anomaly while experimenting in his lab, Scientists around the globe are shocked at what he discovered. Read on to find out exactly what it was.
Exclusive Interview!
Alice: Mr. Rutherford, I imagine that this is an astounding discovery for you.
Rutherford: Yes, yes it is! What I have come across defies our previous laws of nature!
A: Would you care to explain what happened on that fateful day?
R: Well, I was running a test to see what would happen if I shot alpha particles at a very thin gold foil. Since I am familiar with Mr. Thomson's model of the atom, I assumed that the particles would travel through the foil and continue traveling at the same angle, just on the other side. So, there I was, minding my own business, watching the particles go through the foil, when suddenly, WHAM! An alpha particle shot the side of the experiment circle! It appeared that the particle got deflected off the foil. I was so surprised, I almost fainted.
Rutherford: Yes, yes it is! What I have come across defies our previous laws of nature!
A: Would you care to explain what happened on that fateful day?
R: Well, I was running a test to see what would happen if I shot alpha particles at a very thin gold foil. Since I am familiar with Mr. Thomson's model of the atom, I assumed that the particles would travel through the foil and continue traveling at the same angle, just on the other side. So, there I was, minding my own business, watching the particles go through the foil, when suddenly, WHAM! An alpha particle shot the side of the experiment circle! It appeared that the particle got deflected off the foil. I was so surprised, I almost fainted.