Answer the following questions to explain rutherfords famous alpha particle scattering experiment, what questions and/or thoughts prompted him to do this experiment?

Answer is: Rutherford asked questions about the distribution of the charges in an atom.

Rutherford theorized that atoms have their charge concentrated in a very small nucleus. Rutherford conducted research that led to the first splitting of the atom in a nuclear reaction.

Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment: he bombarded thin foil of gold with positive alpha particles. Rutherford observed the deflection of alpha particles on the photographic film

Alpha particles are helium atom particles, consist of two protons and two neutrons.

beta decay is the answer