1. By: Abby Pfaendtner, Ryan Mazzola, Micah Grier and Zander Sottrel
Ernest Rutherford
By: Abby Pfaendtner, Ryan Mazzola, Micah Grier and Zander Sottrel

2. Born: August 30,1871
Died: October 19, 1937
Studied at Cambridge University.

3. Gold Foil Experimental Design
Experiment to study of the scattering of alpha particles
What are alpha particles?
nuclei of helium atoms
Experimental Question: What is the movement pattern in alpha particles at large angles?
Rutherford launched Alpha particles at a gold foil, to see if their movement pattern will be more or less prominent than when launched at a metal with a lower atomic number.
ex: lead with a higher atomic number than gold, should deflect more particles.

4. Rutherford's Gold Foil Conclusions
He concluded that when alpha particles are launched at a gold foil, that a significant number of particles were deflected at unusually large angles, some even backwards.
This proved that metals with a larger atomic number than gold, will more evenly deflect the alpha particles back ,while a lower atomic number will result in a more sporadic deflection.

5. Rutherford Work Changed the Atomic Model
J.J Thomson suggested that the atom did not resemble a “plum pudding” of positively charged nuclear particles with electrons embedded within like raisins.
Rutherford disagreed with Thomson and created his new atomic model.
Rutherford suggested that the atom consisted of a very small, dense nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.