Question

multiple-choice question
what did rutherford predict would happen to the
alpha particles?
he predicted that all of the alpha particles would
pass straight through the atom
he predicted that all of the alpha particles would
bounce off of the atom

Explanation:

Rutherford's prediction was based on the plum - pudding model of the atom that was prevalent at the time. In this model, the positive charge was thought to be spread out evenly (like the "pudding") with electrons (the "plums") embedded in it. Based on this model, he predicted that all alpha particles would pass straight through the atom because the positive charge was not concentrated enough to repel the alpha particles (which are positively charged) strongly. The idea that all alpha particles would bounce off was not his prediction; in fact, the results of his gold - foil experiment (where some alpha particles were deflected or bounced back) were unexpected and led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus.

Answer:

A. he predicted that all of the alpha particles would pass straight through the atom (assuming the first option is labeled A and the second as B)