When you are finished with the experiment, complete the following data analysis and submit your answers. Determine the volume of the box and the block.
Determine the ratio of the block to the box:
Multiply this number by 100 to turn it into a percent.
Complete this statement: The volume of the block is percent of the volume of the box.
Determine the ratio of the number of hits to the number of shots:
Multiply this number by 100 to turn it into a percent.
Complete this statement: The block was hit percent of the time.
Compare the results of step 2 to the results of step 3. Are the percentages similar?
Write a conclusion discussing the following items:
Based on your findings, do you think Rutherford's hypothesis was reasonable?
Restate Rutherford's hypothesis and describe how you tested it.
State whether your results support the hypothesis. If they do not, can you suggest some error in experimental procedure (other than general human error) that might explain it?
Finally, explain how this experiment confirms the nuclear model of the atom and the idea that most of the atom is empty space.