Question

The trajectories, traced by different α -particles, in GeigerMarsden experiment were observed as shown in the figure. 

(a) What names are given to the symbols ‘b’ and ‘θ’ shown here. 

(b) What can we say about the values of b for (i) θ =θ° (ii) θ =π radians. 

Answer 1

(a) The symbol ‘b’ represents impact parametter and ‘θ’ represents the scattering angle. 

(b) When θ= 0, the impart parameter will be maximum and represent the atomic size. 

(c) When θ =π radians, the impact parameter ‘b’ will be minimum and represent the nuclear size.