When helium nucleus is used to hit gold target. These observations allow rutherford to make the following conclusions.
1. Most of the helium nucleus pass through gold film undeflected.
The atom is mostly empty space.
2. A small percentage of helium nucleus are deflected by large angles.
The atom has positive and massive nucleus concentrated at a small point. A large couloumb force can explain the large deflection produced on the alpha particles.
See animated motion of alpha particle by michael fowler.
Another animation from uni of colorado
