plumiRutherford scattering: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.8.1.1 Rutherford scattering, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.2
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ01.7
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ01.4
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.5
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(a)
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(c)
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 27 questions on Rutherford scattering, as a list
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): Alpha particle scattering can be demonstrated using a thin gold foil. Which statement about this demonstration is not true? [1 mark] A The foil is thin enough t
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): What was deduced or observed in the Rutherford scattering experiment? [1 mark] A All gold atoms are not alike. B Alpha particles are helium nuclei. C Some parti
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): Which row is correct for α, β and γ radiation? [1 mark] α β γ A Is it deflected by a magnetic field? yes yes no B Is it deflected by an electric field? yes yes
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): The diagram shows the path of a proton being deflected by the nucleus of an atom. Point P is the position of the proton when it is closest to the nucleus. What
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): The diagram shows an area of 0.10 m2 normal to a line connecting it to a point source of gamma radiation. The source emits photons uniformly in all directions.
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q05.1 (1 mark): State the fundamental force involved when alpha particle 1 is scattered by the nucleus in Figure 11. [1 mark]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q05.2 (1 mark): Draw an arrow at position X on Figure 11 to show the direction of the rate of change in momentum of alpha particle 1 [1 mark]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q05.3 (2 marks): Suggest one of the alpha particles in Figure 11 which may be deflected downwards with a scattering angle of 90° Justify your answer. [2 marks] alpha particle nu
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q28 (1 mark): A point source emits gamma radiation. The intensity I of the radiation is measured at different distances d from the source. Which graph will show a straight li
- June 2019, Paper 3A, Q01.7 (2 marks): Determine e using Figure 6. [2 marks] e = mm
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): The Rutherford scattering experiment led to [1 mark] A the discovery of the electron. B the quark model of hadrons. C the discovery of the nucleus. D evidence f
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q01.4 (1 mark): A common type of smoke detector contains a very small amount of americium-241, Am 95 241 0 1 The alpha radiation produced by americium-241 causes the ionisation
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q01.5 (2 marks): A common type of smoke detector contains a very small amount of americium-241, Am 95 241 0 1 A friend who has not studied physics suggests that a smoke detector
- June 2016, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Sketch a labelled diagram showing the experimental arrangement of the apparatus used by Rutherford. [2 marks]
- June 2016, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q1(b)(ii) (6 marks): State and explain the results of the scattering experiment. Your answer should include the following: the main observations the significance of each observati
- June 2015, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q1(a) (1 mark): Which ionizing radiation produces the greatest number of ion pairs per mm in air? Tick () the correct answer. [1 mark] α particles β particles γ rays X-rays
- June 2015, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q1(c) (2 marks): Following an accident, a room is contaminated with dust containing americium which is an α-emitter. Explain the most hazardous aspect of the presence of this du
- June 2015, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State the main interaction when an alpha particle is scattered by a gold nucleus. [1 mark]
- June 2015, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): The gold foil is replaced with another foil of the same size made from a mixture of isotopes of gold. Nothing else in the experiment is changed. Explain whether
- June 2012, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Assume the source emits γ rays uniformly in all directions. Show that the ratio number of γ photons incident on detector number of γ photons produced by source
- June 2012, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): The γ ray detector detects 1 in 400 of the γ photons incident on the facing surface of the detector. Calculate the activity of the source. State an appropriate
- June 2012, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q5(c) (6 marks): Nuclear radii have been investigated using α particles in Rutherford scattering experiments and by using electrons in diffraction experiments. Make comparisons
- June 2010, PHYA1 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State the nature of an alpha particle. (1 mark)
- June 2008, PA01 (2008 spec), Q2(a) (2 marks): 2 (a) (i) Explain why the incident α particles should be in a narrow beam. 2 (a) (ii) The metal foil should be very thin to prevent too many α particles from be
- June 2008, PA01 (2008 spec), Q2(b) (2 marks): 2 (b) Describe the angular distribution of the scattered α particles coming from the foil. State the scattering angles at which the number of α particles will b
- June 2008, PA01 (2008 spec), Q2(c) (4 marks): 2 (c) State and explain two deductions made from the scattering distribution about the structure of the atoms in the foil. (4 marks)
- June 2008, PA01 (2008 spec), Q2(d) (3 marks): 2 (d) On Figure 1 complete the paths taken by the parallel monoenergetic α particles which all come close enough to the nucleus to be deflected. Figure 1 monoen
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Physics past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.