In Geiger-Marsden experiment, the number of scattered α -particles N(θ) is plotted as a function of scattering angle θ. Which of the following options represents the correct plot? (a) (b) (c) (d)

Answer: (d). Rutherford's formula: N(θ) ∝ (1)/(sin ⁴(θ/2)). N is very large at small θ and falls steeply as θ increases; only a few particles reach θ ≈ 180°. The graph must decrease continuously from a huge value near 0° to a small value near 180°. So the answer is (d).

In Geiger-Marsden experiment, the number of scattered α -particles… | NEET 2026 (Re-neet)

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Atomic Models & Alpha-Particle Scattering

In Geiger-Marsden experiment, the number of scattered $\alpha$ -particles $N(\theta)$ is plotted as a function of scattering angle $\theta$ . Which of the following options represents the correct plot?

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Answer: (d)

Rutherford's formula: $N(\theta) \propto \dfrac{1}{\sin^4(\theta/2)}$ .
$N$ is very large at small $\theta$ and falls steeply as $\theta$ increases; only a few particles reach $\theta \approx 180^\circ$ .
The graph must decrease continuously from a huge value near $0^\circ$ to a small value near $180^\circ$ .
So the answer is (d).

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