Question

Rutherford was able to carry out the first nuclear transmutation reactions by bombarding nitrogen-14 nuclei with alpha particles . However , in the famous experiment on scattering of alpha particles by gold oil , a nuclear transmutation reaction did not occur . What is the différence between the two experiments? What would one need to do to carry out a succesfully nuclear transmutation reaction involving gold nuclei and alpha particles ?

Answer 1

Transmutation reactions are the reactions in which there is a change in the nucleus of atom.

In Rutherford scattering experiment, nitrogen nuclei are bombarded with the alpha particles which results in the production of an oxygen nuclei, whereas in gold scattering experiment, the alpha particles only change their path while interacting with the gold foil. So, the basic difference between two experiments is their is change in the nuclei of atom in rutherford's experiment whereas there is not any type of change in nuclei in scattering experiment.

To make the transmutation reactions which involve gold nuclei and alpha particles, bismuth nuclei can be used as it is easier to get gold from bismuth.