ATOMS
ALPHA PARTICLE SCATTERING EXPERIMENT/GEIGER MARDSEN EXPERIMEN
• A radioactive source (83 Bi214 ) of high energy α particles (5 MeV -7.7MeV) was enclosed in a
thick lead block, provided with a narrow opening.
• The collimated beam was allowed to fall on a thin gold foil of thickness 2.1 x 10-7 m.
• The α particles are seen scattered in different directions are observed with the help of a
suitable detector -a Zinc Sulphide screen and a microscope.
• Whenever α particles strike the screen, it produces scintillations.
• The entire apparatus is enclosed in an evacuated chamber to avoid scattering of alpha particles
by air molecules.
Graph showing the variation of Number of particles scattered and scattering angle (θ)
Observations:
1. Most of the α particles pass straight through the gold foil.
2. About 0.14% α particles suffer very small deflections of 10
3. A few (1 in 8000) α particles get deflected through 900 or more.
4. Occasionally, α particles get rebounded from the gold foil, suffering an angle of 1800
Conclusions
1. As most of the α particles pass straight through the foil, most of the space in the atoms must be
empty.
2. All the positive charge and mass of the atom is concentrated in a very small region, called the
nucleus.
3. Nucleus is surrounded by electrons whose total negative charge is equal to the total positive
charge on the nucleus, so that atom as a whole is electrically neutral.
Rutherford Model of atom-POSTULATES
1. An atom consists of a small and massive central core in which the entire positive charge and
almost the whole of the mass of the atom are concentrated. This core is called nucleus.
2. The size of the nucleus is very small as compared to the size of the atom.
3. The nucleus is surrounded by a suitable number of electrons so that their total negative charge
is equal to the total positive charge on the nucleus. Atom as a whole electrically neutral
4. Electrons revolve around the nucleus in various orbits just as planets revolve around the sun.
The centripetal force required for revolution is provided by the electrostatic force of attraction
between electrons and the nucleus.
Limitations of Rutherford model
1. Rutherford model cannot explain stability of the nucleus.
(According to Maxwells electromagnetic theory an accelerated charge must radiate
electromagnetic energy. An electron revolving around the nucleus is in continuous
acceleration towards the centre. So it should continuously lose energy and follow a spiral
path of decreasing radii and finally it will collapse into the nucleus)
2. It could not explain the discrete spectrum of Hydrogen.
(According to this model an electron should revolve in orbits of all possible radii so it
should emit continuous spectrum)
Impact parameter(b)
The perpendicular distance of the initial velocity vector of the alpha particle from the centre of the
nucleus.
Note
• For head on collision, impact parameter is minimum, force experienced is large,alpha particle
rebounds - scattering angle is 1800
• For large impact parameter, scattering angle is very small, alpha particle goes undeviated
Distance of closest approach (d)
The minimum distance from the nucleus up to which an energetic alpha particle travelling
directly towards the nucleus can move before coming to rest and then retracing its path.
Suppose an alpha particle with initial kinetic energy E is directed towards the centre of
the nucleus of an atom. Because of Coulomb's. repulsive force between nucleus and alpha particle,
kinetic energy of alpha particle goes on decreasing and electric potential energy goes out increasing.
At the distance of closest approach the entire kinetic energy is converted to electric potential energy.
Charge on the alpha particle, q1 =+2e
Charge on the. Nucleus, q2 =Ze
Applying the law of conservation of energy,
PE initial +K initial=PE final +K final
1 ( 2𝑒)(𝑍𝑒) 1 ( 2𝑒)( 𝑍𝑒)
+ K initial = +0
4π𝜀 0 ∞ 4π𝜀 0 𝑑
𝟐𝒁𝒆𝟐
𝒅=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑲
d = Distance of closest approach.
Z= Atomic number.
K= Kinetic energy.
Q) Show that for a dynamically stable orbit of hydrogen, electron is bound to the nucleus.
Total energy of electron in orbit of hydrogen atom is negative. Hence, the electron is bound to the
nucleus.
NOTE :
In ground state of hydrogen atom, Z=1 and n=1
𝑲𝑬 = 𝑻𝑬
𝑷𝑬 = −𝟐𝑲𝑬
KE=Kinetic energy
PE=Potential energy
TE=Total energy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atomic spectra.
Emission spectrum
Each element has a characteristic spectrum of radiation which it emits. When atomic gas or
vapour is excited at low pressure, usually by passing an electric current through it, the emitted radiation
has a spectrum which contains certain specific wavelengths only. The spectrum is called the emission
line spectrum and it consists of bright lines in a dark background.
Absorption spectrum.
When white light passes through a gas, and we analyse the transmitted light, there are some dark
lines in the spectrum. These dark lines correspond precisely to those wavelengths which were found in
the emission spectrum of the gas. This is called absorption spectrum of the material of the gas.
