Physics · Atomic Physics
JEE Main 2026 — 4 April, Evening Shift — Question 17
In Rutherford's alpha-particle scattering experiment, only a few alpha particles rebound back because:
(A) The size of gold nucleus is very small as compared to the size of gold atom.
(B) Alpha particle and gold nucleus have equal charge.
(C) The impact parameter is minimum for a few alpha particles.
(D) A few alpha particles have very high kinetic energy.
(E) Only a few alpha particles undergo head-on collision with the nuclei
- Option A:
A, B Only
- Option B:
B, E Only
- Option C:
C, D Only
- Option D:Correct
A, C, E Only
Answer: D
Step-by-step solution
Theoretical: Small nucleus size (A), minimum impact parameter (C), and head-on collisions (E) explain why only a few rebound. B is false (charges not equal), D is false (kinetic energy is same for all).
Answer key and solution verified before publishing.
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- Exam
- JEE Main 2026
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Atomic Physics
- Topic
- Rutherford's and Bohr's Model of Atom