Question

multiple - choice question
why was rutherfords gold foil experiment able to disprove thomsons model of the atom?
the positively charged alpha particles were supposed to go through the gold foil if thomsons model was correct, but instead some of them bounced back.
the positively charged alpha particles were supposed to bounce straight back when they hit the gold foil if thomsons model was correct, but instead some of them went straight through.

Explanation:

Thomson's model suggested a uniform distribution of positive charge in the atom, so alpha - particles should pass through the gold foil easily. In Rutherford's experiment, some positively - charged alpha - particles bounced back, indicating a concentrated positive charge (nucleus) which Thomson's model didn't account for.

Answer:

The positively charged alpha particles were supposed to go through the gold foil if Thomson's model was correct, but instead some of them bounced back.