Which of the following was discovered by Rutherford’s gold foil experiment?  

The Correct answer is Nucleus.

Key Points

• The gold foil experiment was conducted by Ernest Rutherford in 1909.
• This experiment involved the bombardment of gold foil with alpha particles.
• Rutherford observed that most of the alpha particles passed through the foil, but some were deflected at large angles.
• He concluded that atoms have a small, dense, positively charged center which he called the nucleus.
• Rutherford's findings significantly changed the atomic model from J.J. Thomson's plum pudding model to the nuclear model.
• The discovery of the nucleus led to a better understanding of the structure of the atom and the nature of atomic interactions.

 Additional Information

• Neutron
  • The neutron was discovered by James Chadwick in 1932.
  • It is a neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
  • Neutrons play a crucial role in the stability of the nucleus.
• Electron
  • The electron was discovered by J.J. Thomson in 1897.
  • Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.
  • They are essential in chemical bonding and electricity.
• Proton
  • The proton was discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1917.
  • Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
  • The number of protons in the nucleus determines the atomic number and identity of an element.