<P> However , the intriguing results showed that around 1 in 8000 alpha particles were deflected by very large angles ( over 90 ° ) , while the rest passed through with little deflection . From this , Rutherford concluded that the majority of the mass was concentrated in a minute , positively - charged region ( the nucleus ) surrounded by electrons . When a ( positive ) alpha particle approached sufficiently close to the nucleus , it was repelled strongly enough to rebound at high angles . The small size of the nucleus explained the small number of alpha particles that were repelled in this way . Rutherford showed , using the method outlined below , that the size of the nucleus was less than about 6986100000000000000 ♠ 10 m ( how much less than this size , Rutherford could not tell from this experiment alone ; see more below on this problem of lowest possible size ) . As an visual example , Figure 1 shows the deflection of an alpha particle by a nucleus in the gas of a cloud chamber . </P>
<P> However , the intriguing results showed that around 1 in 8000 alpha particles were deflected by very large angles ( over 90 ° ) , while the rest passed through with little deflection . From this , Rutherford concluded that the majority of the mass was concentrated in a minute , positively - charged region ( the nucleus ) surrounded by electrons . When a ( positive ) alpha particle approached sufficiently close to the nucleus , it was repelled strongly enough to rebound at high angles . The small size of the nucleus explained the small number of alpha particles that were repelled in this way . Rutherford showed , using the method outlined below , that the size of the nucleus was less than about 6986100000000000000 ♠ 10 m ( how much less than this size , Rutherford could not tell from this experiment alone ; see more below on this problem of lowest possible size ) . As an visual example , Figure 1 shows the deflection of an alpha particle by a nucleus in the gas of a cloud chamber . </P>
rutherford scattering experiment is related to the size of
rutherford scattering experiment is related to the size of
the nucleus
the nucleus