Question

the scattering of a stream of positively charged particles when striking a thin film of gold confirms that the positive charge in an atom must be located in a dense central mass. atoms contain electrons in varying energy layers around the nucleus. electrons are found in the center of an atom. electrons can only be found within predicted areas surrounding the nucleus.

Explanation:

The Rutherford gold - foil experiment, where positively charged particles were scattered by a gold foil, showed that the positive charge in an atom is located in a dense central mass (the nucleus). Electrons are outside the nucleus in varying energy layers. The experiment did not directly address electron location in terms of predicted areas around the nucleus in the way described in the last option.

Answer:

the positive charge in an atom must be located in a dense central mass.