[en] The differential cross sections for elastic and quasielastic scattering of α particles with momentum of 17.9 GeV/c by C, Al, and Cu nuclei have been measured over the momentum-transfer interval 0.009< or approx. =Vertical BartVertical Bar< or approx. =0.175 (GeV/c)². The results are compared in terms of geometric scaling variables and analyzed in the Glauber-Sitenko diffraction theory of multiple scattering. Possible reasons for the observed discrepancies with theory are discussed. This work was carried out in the High-Energy Laboratory at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research