NEET Physics: Rutherford's model of atom Practice Questions
14 free multiple-choice questions on Rutherford's model of atom (Atoms and Nuclei) for NEET Physics, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Attempt a question, then reveal the solution to check your reasoning.
Practice thousands more NEET questions in the app →Q1. The primary conceptual fault in Rutherford's model, when viewed through the lens of classical physics, related to:
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Correct answer: A — The stability of the electron orbits.
Classically, accelerating charges should continuously radiate energy and spiral into the nucleus, making the electron orbits unstable. This instability was the major failing of the classical interpretation of the model.
Q2. In Rutherford's gold foil experiment, the observation that a small fraction of alpha particles were deflected by large angles led to the conclusion that the atom possesses a:
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Correct answer: A — small, dense, positively charged nucleus at the center.
The deflection of alpha particles indicated that the positive charge was concentrated in a very small region—the nucleus—leading to the conclusion that the atom is mostly empty space with a dense positive core.
Q3. Rutherford's model proposed that the atom consists primarily of a small, dense core surrounded by...
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Correct answer: C — Electrons
The model describes a dense nucleus (protons and neutrons) surrounded by orbiting electrons.
Q4. In Rutherford's model, the alpha particles were observed to be deflected by a small angle, which suggested that the atom must be largely:
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Correct answer: D — diffuse
The fact that the scattering angle was small implied that the positive charge (nucleus) was spread out over a large volume, suggesting a diffuse structure rather than a point mass, based on the interaction principle of the model.
Q5. Rutherford's model successfully explained why alpha particles were deflected at some angles, suggesting the existence of a dense central region.
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Correct answer: D — By demonstrating the existence of a positively charged nucleus
The deflection results were used to deduce that the atom had a concentrated positive charge (nucleus) causing the deflection of other particles.
Q6. The concept of the atom in Rutherford's framework is fundamentally a combination of which two main parts?
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Correct answer: C — Nucleus and Orbiting Electrons
Rutherford's model is built upon the concept of a dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons in their orbits.
Q7. The experimental result that led Rutherford to propose the nuclear model was the observation of large-angle scattering, which suggested that the atom was:
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Correct answer: C — Mostly empty space with a dense core
The scattering implied that the atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by mostly empty space.
Q8. If the scattering angle of alpha particles were significantly larger than observed, it would imply that the repulsive force experienced by the alpha particle was:
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Correct answer: C — very strong
A larger deflection angle would result if the repulsive force exerted by the nucleus on the alpha particle were stronger than initially calculated, indicating a more concentrated charge distribution.
Q9. In Rutherford's model of the atom, the scattering experiment primarily led to the conclusion that:
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Correct answer: B — The atom consists of a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by mostly empty space.
The Rutherford scattering experiment involved bombarding a thin foil with alpha particles. The observation that most particles passed straight through implied that the atom is mostly empty space, and the deflection of a few particles indicated that the positive charge and almost all the mass of the atom were concentrated in a small, dense nucleus.
Q10. According to the classical mechanics applied to Rutherford's model, the orbiting electrons should theoretically:
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Correct answer: B — follow unstable, non-closed orbits.
Classical physics predicts that an accelerating charged particle should follow a hyperbolic path (unstable orbit) rather than a stable circular orbit, which led to the subsequent introduction of quantum mechanics.
Q11. In Rutherford's scattering experiment, the observation that the majority of alpha particles were deflected by small angles indicated that the atom was mostly:
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Correct answer: D — empty space
Since most alpha particles passed through undeflected (or only slightly deflected), it implies that the atom is mostly empty space, consistent with the concept of a diffuse charge distribution around a central nucleus.
Q12. According to Rutherford's model, where is the vast majority of the mass of an atom concentrated?
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Correct answer: A — In the nucleus
Rutherford's experiment demonstrated that almost all the mass of the atom is concentrated in a tiny, dense central region called the nucleus.
Q13. Rutherford's model of the atom is fundamentally based on which observation regarding alpha particles scattering?
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Correct answer: B — Particles scatter randomly
The observation that some alpha particles were deflected at large angles confirmed the existence of a dense, positively charged nucleus.
Q14. According to the classical model proposed by Rutherford, the electrons revolve around the nucleus in which type of trajectory?
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Correct answer: D — Circular orbit
Rutherford's model envisioned the electrons moving in circular orbits around the positively charged nucleus, similar to planets around the sun.
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