Evaluation of Alternative Scattering Models with the 1913 Geiger-Marsden Experimental Data

A quasi-Coulomb potential (C) energy model and a Yukawa type (Y) potential energy model were used to derive the scattering cross section of non-relativistic light charged particles with heavy nuclides. These models were validated with the Geiger-Marsden experimental data. The C model slightly reduced the total quadratic deviations (Q) when compared to the Rutherford scattering model. The Y model significantly reduced Q (by a factor of about 0.3) and does not yield infinite cross section at 0 scattering angle (for sufficient approximating terms to an exponential) as demonstrated using of the Born approximation. A virtual photon mass of about 8E-32 kg was calculated using the Yukawa mass equation originally obtained for the mediator of the neutron-proton interaction. It could be worthy to determine the impact of massive virtual (or real) photons on the missing mass problem and to find connections between the usually postulated exchange of virtual photons and the dark photons postulated by some theories.