Ernest Rutherford
Physicist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
August 30th, 1871
153 years ago
Died
October 19th, 1937
87 years ago — 66 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
New Zealand
Links & References
A New Zealand-born physicist and chemist, significant contributions to the understanding of atomic structure and radioactivity occurred. Conducted experiments leading to the discovery of the nucleus, establishing the foundation of nuclear physics. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908 for work on radioactive substances. Later, served as the director of the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, mentoring multiple future Nobel laureates and influencing the field of experimental physics.
Developed the gold foil experiment demonstrating the atomic nucleus
Discovered the concept of radioactive half-life
Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908
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