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 involved firing positively - charged alpha particles at a thin gold foil. The fact that some particles were deflected at large angles or even bounced back indicated that the positive charge in an atom is concentrated in a small, dense central mass (the nucleus). The other options are not related to this specific experiment's conclusion.

Answer:

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