Draw a plot of α-particle scattering to show variation of scattering particle.


Describe briefly how large scattering explains existence of nucleus.


Explain with the help of impact parameter picture how Rutherford scattering serves powerful way to determine upper limit of nucleus.


The data shows that large number of α-particles do not suffer large scattering but small number suffer greater scattering.
It is concluded that:
(i) most of the atom is empty space.
(ii) massive positively charged nucleus occupies small region.

From the picture it is clear that for small impact parameter suffers large scattering thus it shows the upper limit to the size of nucleus.