Which statement best summarizes the importance of ernest rutherford’s gold foil experiment?
a. it proved that all of john dalton’s postulates were true.
b. it verified j. j. thomson’s work on the atomic structure.
c. it showed that an electron circles a nucleus in a fixed-energy orbit.
d. it showed that a nucleus occupies a small part of the whole atom.

The correct answer is Option D.

Explanation:

Ernest Rutherford gave a model which was known as Gold-foil experiment.

In this experiment, he took a gold foil and he bombarded alpha particles (carrying +2 charge) on it. He assumed that all the particles will pass through the foil due to the presence of a lot of empty space. But, to his surprise some of the particles deflected their path and a few of them bounced back their way at an angle of 180°.

He, then concluded that the gold foil must have something which has the same charge as that of alpha particle and occupies a small amount of space. Hence, he discovered that an atom has a nucleus which carries positive charge and occupies a small amount of space.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

explanation:

let the different atoms be x and y. each with four protons and same mass will be represented as follows.

mass number is number of protons + number of neutrons.

            and  

since, it is given that one has a negative charge while the other is neutral. therefore, there will be increase in number of protons and the atom will be represented as follows.

according to periodic table, mass number of beryllium is 9 and it has atomic number 4 so, the atoms will be and .  

the protons and neutrons will be located inside the nucleus whereas the electrons will be revolving around the nucleus.  

points

explanation: