While most did pass through, Rutherford was shocked to find that:
A detector that would flash when hit by an alpha particle. The Unexpected Result Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment - Backstage Science
Videos about some of Britain's most amazing science facilities While most did pass through, Rutherford was shocked
Chosen because gold is incredibly malleable and can be beaten into a sheet only about 1,000 atoms thick. While most did pass through
Positively charged particles emitted from a radioactive source (radium).