Rutherford calculated that the radius of the nucleus is about 10^5 times less than the radius of the atom based on the observations of the deflected α-particles.
Discussion Forum Latest Questions
He concluded that all the positive charge and mass of the gold atom were concentrated in a very small volume within the atom.
It suggested that the positive charge of the atom occupies very little space within the atom.
The fact that most α-particles passed through the foil without deflection indicated that most of the space inside the atom is empty.
Rutherford observed that most α-particles passed through the gold foil without significant deflection.