Question

what are rutherfords major contributions to our understanding of the atom? (select all that apply)
an atom is mostly empty space
there are negatively charged particles called electrons
there is a positively charged nucleus in the center of an atom

Explanation:

1. Rutherford's gold foil experiment showed that most of the alpha particles passed through the foil, implying an atom is mostly empty space.
2. The discovery of electrons (negatively charged particles) was by J.J. Thomson, not Rutherford.
3. Rutherford's experiment also led to the conclusion that there is a small, positively charged nucleus at the center of an atom where most of the mass is concentrated.

Answer:

• an atom is mostly empty space
• there is a positively charged nucleus in the center of an atom