Between the Rutherford's Contributions Science highlights the discovery of alpha and beta radioactivity, the atomic model of the atom or the radio wave detector.
New Zealand scientist Ernest Rutherford made great contributions to the field of physics and chemistry through his studies of radioactivity and the structure of the atom.
Rutherford postulated the nuclear structure of the atom, discovered the beta and alpha rays, provided the rules for radioactive decay, and identified alpha particles as helium nuclei. He was also the first person to separate the atom.
Rutherford performed his most famous work after winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908 for his theory of atomic structure.
In 1909, together with Hans Geiger and Ernest Mardsen, he performed the Geiger-Mardsen experiment, which demonstrated the nuclear nature of atoms by reflecting alpha particles passing through a thin, golden lamina.
In 1911 he was the first person to discover that atoms had a small charged nucleus surrounded largely by an empty space, and also that small electrons circulated around them. This is known as Rutherford's atomic model (or planetary model).
Additionally, their experiments demonstrated that when alpha particles are fired at gas atoms, a few are violently deflected.
This implies that a positively charged dense central region contains the majority of the atomic mass.
Ernest Rutherford is considered the father of nuclear physics for his pioneering discoveries about atomic structure.
Rutherford's most important contributions to science and humanity
Discovered alpha and beta radioactivity
In 1898, Rutherford began his studies on radiation emitted by uranium. His experiments led him to conclude that radioactivity must have at least two components, so I call them alpha and beta rays.
He found that alpha particles are positively charged and that beta rays have more penetration power than alpha rays. Rutherford also named gamma rays.
He discovered that atoms were not indestructible
Together with the chemist Frederick Soddy, he created the Theory of Atom Disintegration; Implying the spontaneous disintegration of atoms into other types of atoms.
The disintegration of the atoms of the radioactive elements was a key discovery at that time since until that moment it was believed that atoms were a class of indestructible matter.
Thanks to his discoveries in the area of the disintegration of elements and in the chemistry of radioactive elements, Rutherford won the Nobel Prize in 1908.
He formulated the atomic model of the atom
Along with the scientists Geiger and Mardsen, realized one of the most famous experiments of the science.
Under the direction of Rutherford, the scientists performed a series of experiments between 1908 and 1913 where they aimed alpha beams of lightning into thin sheets of metal and then measured the pattern of spread using a fluorescent screen.
Thanks to this, they discovered that although most of the particles flew directly, some bounced in all directions, including some that they returned directly to the source.
This was impossible to justify with the ancient model of the atom, so Rutherford interpreted the data to formulate the atomic model of Rutherford in 1.911.
Invented a radio wave detector
The German physicist Heinrich Hertz proved the existence of electromagnetic waves at the end of 1880.
Rutherford decided to measure its effect on magnetized steel needles. This experiment led him to invent a detector of something we now call radial waves.
This radio receiver became a part of the communications revolution known as wireless telegraphy.
Rutherford improved his device and for a brief period of time had the world record of the distance in which the electromagnetic waves could be detected.
Although Rutherford was surpassed by Marconi, his discovery is still considered an important contribution in this field.
Discovered the atomic nucleus
Through the experiments of the gold foils, Rutherford discovered that all atoms contained a nucleus where its positive charge and most of its mass were concentrated.
Its model of the atom contained the new feature that a high central charge concentrated on a small volume of the atom was responsible for most of its mass.
In its model, the nucleus was orbited by low mass electrons. This model proceeded to Bohr's atomic model, which applied quantum theory.
His discovery of the atomic nucleus is regarded as his greatest contribution to science.
Discovered the proton
In 1917, he became the first person to transform one element into another. It converted nitrogen atoms into oxygen atoms by bombarding nitrogen with alpha particles.
This was the first observation of an induced nuclear reaction and is considered as the discovery of the proton.
In 1920, Rutherford proposed the hydrogen nucleus as a new particle and established the proton term for it.
Theorized the existence of the neutron
In 1921 he theorized that there should be a neutral particle in the nucleus of the atom to compensate for the repulsion effect of positively charged protons by creating an attractive nuclear force; Without any particle, the nucleus would collapse.
For this reason, Rutherford theorized the existence of the neutron and established the term by which it is known today.
The neutron was discovered in 1932 by scientist James Chadwick who had studied and worked with Rutherford.
He is known as the father of nuclear physics
Thanks to his work in the field, how to conduct the first nuclear reaction, prove the nature of radioactive decay as a nuclear process and establish the structure of the atom, is known as the father of nuclear physics.
His work was of great importance at the time of future research and future development in the field.
Rutherford also served as an inspiration and mentor to many scientists; A lot of his students came to win Nobel prizes. He was also considered the greatest experimentalist since Faraday.
References
- Ernest Rutherford: father of nuclear science. Retrieved from media.newzealand.com.
- Ernest Rutherford - Important scientists - the physics of the U. Retrieved from physicsoftheuniverse.com.
- Ernest Rutherford's 10 major contributions to science (2016) Retrieved from learndo-newtonic.com.
- Ernest Rutherford. Retrieved from wikipedia.org.