Geiger–Marsden experiment

E682057

The Geiger–Marsden experiment, also known as the gold foil experiment, was a landmark early 20th-century physics experiment that revealed the existence of a small, dense atomic nucleus and led to the development of the Rutherford model of the atom.

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Predicate Object
instanceOf landmark experiment in atomic physics
physics experiment
scattering experiment
alsoKnownAs Rutherford scattering experiment NERFINISHED
gold foil experiment
category experiments in Rutherford scattering
historical experiments in physics
conductedBy Ernest Marsden NERFINISHED
Hans Geiger NERFINISHED
country United Kingdom
demonstrated most of the atom is empty space
nucleus carries most of the atom’s mass
nucleus is small compared to atomic size
detectionTechnique visual counting of scintillations
endDate 1913
field atomic physics
nuclear physics
historicalPeriod early 20th century
influenced Bohr model of the atom NERFINISHED
inspiredBy Ernest Rutherford NERFINISHED
keyResult discovery of atomic nucleus
evidence that positive charge is concentrated in a small volume
refutation of the Thomson plum pudding model
ledTo Rutherford model of the atom NERFINISHED
planetary model of the atom
location University of Manchester NERFINISHED
method measurement of scattering angles
use of scintillation screen to detect alpha particles
namedAfter Ernest Marsden NERFINISHED
Hans Geiger NERFINISHED
observed backscattering of alpha particles
large-angle scattering of alpha particles
publication 1909 paper on alpha particle scattering
significance foundation of nuclear physics
provided experimental basis for modern atomic theory
startDate 1908
supervisedBy Ernest Rutherford NERFINISHED
supervisingScientist Ernest Rutherford NERFINISHED
supportedModel nuclear model of the atom
testedModel Thomson plum pudding model NERFINISHED
usedProjectile alpha particles
usedSource radioactive alpha emitter
usedTarget gold foil
thin metal foil

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Hans Geiger conductedExperiment Geiger–Marsden experiment
Ernest Marsden knownFor Geiger–Marsden experiment
Hans Geiger knownFor Geiger–Marsden experiment