About This Lesson
This model of alpha particle scattering uses ball bearings to represent alpha particles and a plastic hill to represent the force from a nucleus. The deflections are very clear and this can lead to some useful discussions.
Resources
Files
Gravitational_model_of_alpha_particle_scattering.doc
External resources
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This resource gives a great description of how the model works, so if you have the "tin hat" apparatus and want ideas of how to explain it to your students then read this resource.