Ernest Rutherford was a pioneering scientist born in New Zealand in 1871. Through his experiments, he discovered that atoms have a tiny, dense nucleus and discovered different types of radiation. He established the Rutherford model of the atom with electrons orbiting a central nucleus. Rutherford also discovered the concept of nuclear half-lives and was the first to achieve nuclear transmutation. His discoveries fundamentally changed scientists' understanding of atomic structure and laid the foundations of nuclear physics.

1. ERNEST
RUTHERFORD
Submitted by,
ABINIYA.K.VIJAYAN

2. HISTORY
Born : 30 August 1871 in New Zealand.
Father : James Rutherford, a farmer from Scotland.
Mother : Martha Thompson, a schoolteacher from England.
Studies : Nelson College(1887-1889),
University of Canterbury(1890-1894),
Cavendish Laboratory at University of Cambridge,
University of New Zealand.
Died : 19 October 1937

3. Rutherford’s most significant contributions to Science
Discovery of Alpha and Beta radiation
 In 1898, Rutherford studied the radiation emitted by Uranium by
allowing radiation from Uranium to pass through an increasing
number of layers of metal foil, he discovered that two different types
of radiation, which he named alpha and beta.
 Alpha particles are Helium ions carrying two positive charges.
 Beta particles have greater penetrating power than alpha rays.

4. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

5. Discovery of atomic model and atomic nucleus
 In 1911, Rutherford described the atom having a tiny dense and
positively charged core called “Nucleus”.
 Rutherford established that the mass of the atom is concentrated in its
nucleus.
 The negatively charged electrons (discovered by J.J.Thomson)
circulated around the nucleus, much like planets around the Sun.
 Thus, the Rutherford atomic model was also known as the
“Rutherford planetary model of atom”.

6. Discovery of the Proton
 Goldstein observed the positive rays in his anode ray experiment in 1898.
 Rutherford discovered proton in Gold foil experiment.
 Rutherford postulated the Hydrogen nucleus to be a new particle in 1920,
which he called “Proton”.
 The word ‘Proton’ is derived from the Greek word, ‘ Protos’ which means “first”.

7. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

8. Discovered the concept of nuclear half-lives
 In 1907, Rutherford discovered that radioactive element
have half-life.
 He coined them “Half life period” to identify the
phenomena.

9. The age of planet Earth and Radiometric dating
 According to Lord Kelvin “Earth’s age could be no greater than
400 million year’s old. Earth could be older than this, only if
some new source of energy could be found that was heating it
internally”.
 Rutherford identified the new source that the energy released
during the decay of radioactive elements.
 He realized that Helium supply is largely produced by the
decay of radioactive element.

10. Discovery of Nuclear reactions
Rutherford achieved the first deliberate transformation of
one element into another. In 1919, he converted Nitrogen atoms
into Oxygen atoms by bombarding Nitrogen with alpha particles.
14N + 𝛼 → 17O + 1H

11. AWARDS
 Rumford Medal and Royal Society Bakerian Medal in 1904.
 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908.
 Elliot Cresson Medal, Barnard Medal for Meritorious Service to
Science in 1910.
 Matteucci Medal in 1913.
 Hector Medal in 1916.
 Franklin Medal in 1924 and Albert Medal in 1928.
 IET Faraday Medal in 1930.
 Wilhelm Exner Medal and Faraday Lectureship Prize in 1936.

13.  Element 104 is named as Rutherfordium in his honour.
 Baron Rutherford of Nelson in 1931.
 Become SIR Ernest Rutherford.

14. REFERENCES
 Basic Inorganic Chemistry – F.Albert Cotton, Geoffrey Wilkinson,
Paul.L.Gaus.
 A Textbook of Physical Chemistry – Arthur Adamson.
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org
 https://www.nobelprize.org
 https://www.Britannica.com