Skip to content

Loading…

Home
Subjects
Past papers
Key terms
Pricing

My courses

Select your courses

Loading…

Subjects

History
Geography
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Classics

Resources

Browse courses
Past papers
Key terms & definitions
Pricing

About

Sign up
Log in
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

© 2026 GradeGen

Not affiliated with any exam board.

Alpha particle scattering experiment — AQA GCSE Physics Definition | GradeGen

Home
Physics
Key terms
Alpha particle scattering experiment

GCSE Physics · key term

Alpha particle scattering experiment

Definition

An experiment in which alpha particles were directed at thin metal foil and their scattering was observed.

Used by AQA

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Physics · 8463

Specification 4.4.1.3 · Paper 1

In the alpha particle scattering experiment, Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden, working with Ernest Rutherford, directed positively charged alpha particles at a very thin sheet of gold foil. A surrounding fluorescent screen produced flashes that revealed where the alpha particles went.
Revise: The development of the model of the atom

AQA Physics past papers

Related key terms

Energy level
Neutron
Nuclear model
Nucleus
Plum pudding model

Revise Physics with GradeGen

Create a free account to read GCSE Physics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.

Sign Up to Start Revising Log In

Scientific model