Ernest Rutherford

This super scientist worked out what’s at the heart of atoms and established a new science – nuclear physics. Some alpha particles deflect

Ernest Rutherford Most particles pass straight through the foil. Gold foil

The physicist

who ushered in the ATOMIC AGE

Rutherford’s research laboratory at the University of Cambridge, England Detecting screen

Source of alpha particles

Nobel Prize

Talented scientist Ernest Rutherford was born in New Zealand in 1871. He discovered that atoms of some elements break down into lighter atoms, giving off a kind of energy called RADIOACTIVITY. In 1908, Rutherford won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery.

Who came before…

Golden discovery

In 1909, Rutherford and his researchers conducted an important experiment. Positively charged particles called alpha rays were fired at a very thin gold foil. Although most particles passed straight through, some were deflected. This proved that atoms are mostly empty space with a tiny, positively charged centre – the NUCLEUS. Rutherford likened his new model of the atom to that of the Solar System with the nucleus in the centre and electrons orbiting around it.

Did you know? During World War I, Rutherford performed secret experiments to find ways of detecting German U-boats.

Chemist John Dalton built on the theories that had existed since ancient Greek times. In the 1800s, he concluded that all chemical elements are composed of indestructible atoms. In 1897, physicist

J J thompson discovered the electron – the negatively charged particle of an atom. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906.

Proton is given off

By the way… Rutherfordium, or Element 104, is a synthetic, radioactive element named in my honour.

Nitrogen atom

Heat, light, and other forms of energy are released.

Oxygen atom

Splitting the atom

In 1919, Rutherford discovered he could smash apart the nucleus of a nitrogen atom by firing particles from a radioactive source. Smaller particles called protons were released, converting the element nitrogen into oxygen through a process called NUCLEAR FISSION. This breakthrough ultimately led to nuclear power.

What came after…

Rutherford’s new model of the atom with electrons orbiting the nucleus

In 1932, James Chadwick used this detector to identify neutrons (particles that have no electric charge) in an atom’s nucleus. Neutrons help hold the nucleus together. In 2012, a subatomic particle called the Higgs boson was detected by the Large Hadron Collider, a machine that smashes atoms together at almost the speed of light.

How he changed the world

Ernest Rutherford’s three landmark discoveries changed science forever. He was also an inspiring mentor and many of his students went on to win Nobel Prizes.