Answer:
The correct answer is particles that struck the center of the atom were repelled.
Explanation:
Rutherford performed an experiment which is called the gold foil experiment. In the gold foil experiment of the Rutherford, a gold foil is bombarded with the positively charged alpha particles. The bombardment of the alpha particles shows the unexpected result to Rutherford.
He thought these particles go through the gold foil but to his surprise, some particles bounced back and some deflected after colliding with foil. On the basis of these, he suggested that there is a positive charge present in the center of an atom that repelled the positive charge of alpha particles and leads to deflection and bouncing back.
Thus, the correct answer is particles that struck the center of the atom were repelled.
