Q1.

(a) Over 100 years ago, scientists thought the atom was like a ‘plum pudding’.
The diagram below shows the plum pudding model of the atom.

The scientists knew that an atom has negatively charged particles. They also knew
that an atom has no overall charge.

What did the scientists conclude about the charge on the ‘pudding part’ of the
atom?

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(1)

(b) Two scientists named Rutherford and Marsden devised an experiment to investigate
the plum pudding model of the atom. The experiment involved firing alpha particles
at a thin sheet of gold. The scientists measured how many of the alpha particles
were scattered.

Using the plum pudding model, the scientists predicted that only a few of the alpha
particles would be scattered by more than 4°.

Over several months, more than 100 000 measurements were made.

(i) The results from this experiment caused the plum pudding model to be
replaced by a new model of the atom.

Explain why.

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(2)

(ii) Suggest one reason why other scientists thought this experiment provided
valid evidence for a new model of the atom.

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 ______________________________________________________________

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(1)

Q2.
In the early part of the 20th century, scientists used the ‘plum pudding’ model to explain
the structure of the atom.

Following work by Rutherford and Marsden, a new model of the atom, called the ‘nuclear’
model, was suggested.

(a) Describe the differences between the two models of the atom.

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(4)

(b) In their investigation, Rutherford and Marsden fired positively charged alpha
particles at a very thin sheet of gold. Over a period of several months, the scientists
made over 100 000 measurements. These measurements showed that:

• a very small number of alpha particles were deflected backwards from the gold
foil.

Use the nuclear model to explain this experimental result.

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(2)

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 (c) Why did the work of Rutherford and Marsden convince many scientists that the
‘plum pudding’ model of the atom was incorrect?

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q3.
Figure 1 shows the plum pudding model of the atom.

This model was used by some scientists after the discovery of electrons in 1897.

Figure 1

Plum-pudding model

In 1911 the scientists Geiger and Marsden investigated the effect of firing alpha particles
at very thin sheets of gold foil.

Their experiment is shown in Figure 2. The arrows show the paths taken by alpha
particles in the experiment.

Figure 2

(a) Explain why scientists replaced the plum pudding model of the atom with the
nuclear model of the atom as a result of the experiment.

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 ___________________________________________________________________

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(4)

(b) In 1931 a scientist discovered that there are hydrogen atoms with mass number 2
as well as hydrogen atoms with mass number 1.

A year later, another scientist discovered neutrons.

Explain why the discovery of neutrons could explain the presence of hydrogen
atoms with different mass numbers.

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(3)

(c) How would the results of the experiment shown in Figure 2 change if neutrons were
used instead of alpha particles to bombard a thin sheet of gold?

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(2)
(Total 11 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) (an equal amount of) positive charge
do not accept charge on the atom / nucleus is positive
1

(b) (i) a (significant) number of alpha particles were scattered by more than 4°
or
alpha particles deflected backwards
accept (some) measurements / results were unexpected
1

measurements / results could not be explained by ‘plum pudding’ model

or
measurements / results did not support predictions
can be explained by the nuclear model is insufficient
accept measurements / results did not support hypothesis
1

(ii) many / (over)100 000 measurements / results taken

accept Rutherford(and Marsden) were respected scientists
or
scientists were respected
accept measurements / results taken over several months
the experiment was repeated many times is insufficient
1

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Q2.
(a) any two pairs from:

• nuclear model mass is concentrated at the centre / nucleus (1)

plum pudding model mass is evenly distributed (1)

accept the nuclear model has a nucleus/the plum pudding
model does not have a nucleus for 1 mark

• nuclear model positive charge occupies only a small part of the atom (1)

plum pudding model positive charge spread throughout the atom (1)
accept electrons in shells/ orbits provided a valid comparison
is made with the plum pudding model
do not accept on its own
do not accept electrons at edge of plum pudding

• nuclear model electrons orbit some distance from the centre / nucleus (1)

plum pudding electrons embedded in the (mass) of positive (charge) (1)

• nuclear model the atom mainly empty space (1)

plum pudding model is a ‘solid’ mass (1)

to gain credit it must be clear which model is being described
do not accept simple descriptions on the diagram without
comparison
4

(b) nucleus must be positive to deflect/ repel alpha particles

answers in terms of electrons/negative charge causing
deflection negates mark answers in terms of reflection
negates mark
1

nucleus (very) small so few alpha particles deflected backwards

accept most of atom empty space so most pass through
1

(c) many/ 100 000 measurements taken

accept results for measurements accept data valid / reliable
1

findings could not be explained by plum pudding model

accept a specific finding that could not be explained
eg some alpha particles were deflected backwards
1
[8]

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Q3.
(a) most alpha particles went straight through, suggesting lots of empty space
1

a few alpha particles bounced back, suggesting small central nucleus

1

with all the positive charge

1

the plum pudding model does not explain the results because it shows the whole
atom as a ball of positive charge with no empty space
1
1

(b) all hydrogen atoms have just one proton (in the nucleus)
1

some hydrogen atoms also have one neutron

1

protons and neutrons have the same relative mass so mass number of these atoms
is 2
1

(c) neutrons are not attracted or repelled by a positive nucleus

1

so the neutrons would all pass through the foil

1
[11]

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