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 - positive charge distribution. In Rutherford's experiment, if Thomson's model was correct, positively - charged alpha particles should have passed through the gold foil easily. But some alpha particles bounced back, indicating a concentrated positive charge (nucleus) which Thomson's model did not 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.