In Rutherford\'s famous scattering experiments that led to the planetary model o

Question

In Rutherford's famous scattering experiments that led to the planetary model of the atom, alpha particles (having charges of +2e and masses of 6.64 x 10^-27 kg) were fired toward a gold nucleus with charge + 79e. An alpha particle, initially very far from the gold nucleus, is fired at 1.10 x 10^7 m/s directly toward the nucleus, as in the figure below. How close does the alpha particle get to the gold nucleus before turning around? Assume the gold nucleus remains stationary. 4.54e-14 X Your response differs from the correct answer by more than 10%. Double check your calculations. m

Explanation / Answer

apply law of conservation of energy

0.5*m1*v1^2 = -K*Q1*Q2/d

0.5*6.64*10^-27*1.1*1.1*10^14 = -9*10^9*2*1.6*10^-19*79*1.6*10^-19/d

4.0172*10^-13 = 3640.32*10^-38/d

d = (3.64*10^-35)/(4.0172*10^-13) = 0.906*10^-22 m = 9.06*10^-23 m

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