Question

what did ernest rutherford expect to happen when he aimed a beam of particles at a thin gold foil? the particles would deflect at sharp angles or completely back toward the emitter. the particles would pass through the foil undisturbed. the particles would deflect at right angles after hitting the foil. the particles would be deflected slightly after passing through the foil.

Explanation:

Based on the then - prevalent plum - pudding model of the atom, Rutherford expected the particles to pass through the foil undisturbed as the positive charge and mass were thought to be evenly distributed and not concentrated enough to deflect the particles significantly.

Answer:

The particles would pass through the foil undisturbed.