Rutherford's Impact on Atomic Physics
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ScribdTranslationsErnest Rutherford
(Nelson, New Zealand, 1871 - London, 1937) British physicist and chemist.
After graduating in 1893 in Christchurch (New Zealand), Ernest
Rutherford moved to the University of Cambridge (1895) to work
as an assistant ofJoseph John ThomsonIn 1898 he was appointed
professor at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Upon his return
in the United Kingdom (1907) he joined the teaching staff at the University of
Manchester, and in 1919 he succeeded Thomson himself as director of
Cavendish Laboratory of the University of Cambridge.
For his work in the field of atomic physics, Ernest Rutherford is
considered one of the fathers of this discipline. He researched on the
detection of electromagnetic radiation and regarding air ionization
produced by X-rays, studied the radioactive emissions discovered
forHenri Becquereland managed to classify them into alpha, beta, and gamma rays. In
1902, in collaboration withFrederick SoddyRutherford formulated the theory
about natural radioactivity associated with spontaneous transformations
of the elements. Collaborated withHans Geigerin the development of the counter
of radiation known as the Geiger counter, and in 1908 he demonstrated that the
alpha particles are helium ions (more precisely, nuclei of the atom of
helio).
In 1911, he described a new atomic model (atomic model of
Rutherford), which would later be perfected byNiels BohrAccording to
this model existed inthe atom a central core in which
it concentrated almost the entirety of the mass, as well as the electric charges
positive, and a wrapping or shell of electrons (electric charge)
negative). He was able to experimentally demonstrate that theory based on the
deviations that occurred in the trajectory of the emitted particles
by radioactive substances when they were bombarding the atoms.
The experiments carried out by Rutherford also allowed the
establishment of an order of magnitude for the real dimensions of the
atomic nucleus.
During theWorld War I studied submarine detection
through sound waves, so he was one of the precursors of
sonar. After the conflict ended, in 1919 he achieved the first transmutation.
artificially creating chemical elements through the bombardment of an atom
nitrogen with alpha particles; the transmutations are due to the ability
of transforming that has an atom subjected to bombardment with particles
able to penetrate its core.
Very shortly after its discovery, the characteristics of
the transmutations and it was checked that the kinetic energy of the protons
emitted in the process could be greater than that of the incident particles,
so that the internal energy of the nucleus had to intervene
transmutation. In 1923, after photographing almost 400,000 trajectories of
particles with the help of a bubble chamber (chamber of
Wilson)Patrick Blacketthe could describe eight transmutations and establish
the reaction that had taken place.
Rutherford received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908 in recognition of
its investigations related to the disintegration of the elements. Among
among other distinctions, he was elected a member (1903) and president (1925-1930)
from the Royal Society of London, and he was granted the titles of sir (1914)
and Baron Rutherford of Nelson (1931); element 104 of thetable
periodicis named Rutherfordium in his honor. Upon his death, his remains
mortals were buried in Westminster Abbey.
Niels Bohr
(Niels Henrik David Bohr; Copenhagen, 1885 - 1962) Danish physicist.
Considered one of the most dazzling figures in physics
contemporary and, for its theoretical contributions and its practical work,
as one of the fathers of the atomic bomb, he was awarded in 1922 with
the Nobel Prize in Physics "for his research on the structure of
the atoms and the radiation that emanates from them.
Niels Henrik David Bohr
Birth: October 7, 1885, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nationality: Danish.
November 18, 1962
Denmark.
He was a Danish physicist who made fundamental contributions to the
understanding of the structure of the atom and quantum mechanics.
He was born in Copenhagen, son of Christian Bohr, a devout Lutheran and
professor of Physiology at the university of the city, and Ellen Adler,
member of a wealthy Jewish family of great importance in banking
Danish and in the circles of Parliament.
After obtaining his doctorate from the University of Copenhagen in 1911, and trying to
extension of studies at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge with the
chemist Joseph John Thomson, discoverer of the electron (the subject of the thesis)
Bohr's doctorate) and Nobel Prize in 1906, who did not show a great interest in
the young Bohr completed his studies in Manchester, having as
master to Ernest Rutherford, with whom he established a lasting relationship
scientific and friendly.
He died of cardiac arrest in his home in Carlsberg on November 18.
1962. He was cremated and his ashes buried in the family grave.
Assistens Cemetery, alongside his parents and his brother Harald. Years later
In the afternoon, the ashes of his wife were also buried there.
Bohr received numerous honors and distinctions. On November 21, 1963, the
The Danish state issued a stamp representing Bohr, the hydrogen atom.
and the formula for the difference between the two energy levels of hydrogen.
Several other countries have also issued postage stamps representing
Bohr. He was also featured on a banknote in 1997, when the
The National Bank of Denmark issued a 500 krone banknote.
with the portrait of Bohr smoking a pipe. An asteroid was also named.
like 3948 Bohr.
