The scenario that results in the largest deflection of alpha particles in Rutherford scattering depends on the mass and speed of the alpha particles as well as the mass of the target particles.
In Rutherford scattering, lighter (lower mass-number) target particles will tend to deflect heavier alpha particles more effectively when the alpha particles are slow (have low energy). The reasoning is that lighter target particles, when struck by a high-energy alpha particle, will recoil but may not change the trajectory of the alpha particle significantly due to the high momentum of the alpha particle.
Conversely, when a low-energy alpha particle encounters a heavier mass-number target particle, the smaller momentum typically results in minimal deflection due to their rising kinetic energy.
Taking these points into consideration, the configuration that will most likely yield the largest deflection of alpha particles is:
low-energy alpha particles passing through a field of low mass-number-particles.
In this scenario, the low kinetic energy of the alpha particles allows the lighter particles to have a significantly impactful interaction causing a greater deflection.
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