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This model illustrates Rutherford's alpha-particle scattering experiment. In the experiment, a beam of alpha particles was directed at a thin gold foil. The results showed that approximately 99% of the alpha particles passed straight through the foil, while some were deflected at small angles, and a very small fraction rebounded off the foil. These observations led to the conclusion that the atom's positive charge is concentrated in a small, dense region. Based on this experiment, Rutherford identified the atomic nucleus. He further discovered that the nucleus occupies a relatively small portion of the atom's overall diameter, yet it contains most of the atom's mass.
