Rutherford Scattering
|
|
|
Original Sim and Translations |
About
Topics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Atomic Nuclei
- Atomic Structure
Description
How did Rutherford figure out the structure of the atom without being able to see it? Simulate the famous experiment in which he disproved the Plum Pudding model of the atom by observing alpha particles bouncing off atoms and determining that they must have a small core.
Sample Learning Goals
- Describe the qualitative difference between scattering off positively charged nucleus and electrically neutral plum pudding atom.
- For charged nucleus, describe qualitatively how angle of deflection depends on: Energy of incoming particle, Impact parameter, Charge of target
For Teachers
Teacher Tips
 |
Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
| Title |
|
|
Authors | Level | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic models homework (Inquiry based) |
|
|
Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins and Carl Wieman | UG-Intro UG-Adv |
HW |
| Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
|
Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | |
| Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment | David Pepple | MS HS |
Lab | ||
| Preguntas de razonamiento para todas las simulaciones HTML5 |
|
|
Diana López | Grad UG-Adv MS HS K-5 UG-Intro |
HW Discuss |
Browse more activities.
Translations
Related Simulations
Software Requirements
| Windows 7+ | Mac OS 10.7+ | iPad and iPad Mini with iOS | Chromebook with Chrome OS |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11, latest version of Firefox, latest version of Chrome.
|
Safari 9+, latest version of Firefox, latest version of Chrome.
|
Latest version of Safari
|
Latest version of Chrome
|
Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
|---|---|---|
|
|
