Mini-Rutherford Experiment

Nuclear EngineeringeVOL9

Summer 2015

Geiger and Marsden, 1911-1913Ernest Rutherford

Task

• Today, we will recreate the Rutherford experiment to find the shape of objects hidden under a board

• As a team, you must use the marbles and paper provided to determine the shape of the object that is under the board

Brainstorm!

• Take 5 minutes and develop a procedure for your team to determine the shape under the board

• Before you move on, check your procedure with your counselor

Test!

• As a team, work to find the shapes of the four different objects under your boards

• One member from each team should be in charge of timing how long it takes to find each shape

• When you think you have determined the shape under your board, show it to Prof. Thompson before moving on to the next shape

Reflect!

• How easy or difficult was this method of “seeing” the shape of the block?

• What were the critical factors to successfully find the shape of the block?

Report!

• Why was it important to draw the pathways of the marbles that miss as well as those that hit the block?

• Describe how varying the block shape can change the outcome of the event.

Today’s Video!

• Let’s learn a little more about Rutherford’s experiment and how that relates to nuclear engineering

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzALbzTdnc8

Ernest Rutherford, 1871-1937