Perimeter Classroom Activity: Rutherford Scattering with Marbles

Perimeter’s Dave Fish demonstrates activities for students to learn more about physics. In this classroom activity, Rutherford scattering is modelled by rolling marbles at a wine glass. The base of the glass acts as the electrostatic field that repels the alpha particles (marbles).

Resources about this and other topics can be found at: http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/outreach.