When positively charged particles were radiated onto a gold atom, most of the particles went straight past. what is most likely the reason for this? dense area inside the atom. b. empty space around the nucleus. c. scattered positively charged particles in the atom. d. electrons and neutrons inside the nucleus

Option (B) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

In Rutherford's gold foil experiment, the positively charged particles which were radiated onto a gold atom were alpha particles.

It is known that nucleus of an atom has protons and neutrons. When a beam of positively charged particles is passed through the nucleus then some of the alpha particles colloid with the protons and neutrons. Hence, they get deflected back.

Whereas some alpha particles pass through the empty space around the nucleus as a result, they pass straight past and does not get deflected.

Thus, we can conclude that when positively charged particles were radiated onto a gold atom, most of the particles went straight past due to empty space around the nucleus.