Ernest Rutherford Breighton Kohl & Nick McCain

The Discovery Ernest Rutherford, born on a farm in Spring Grove, New Zealand in 1871, is considered the father of nuclear physics for his findings of alpha and beta rays as well as setting forth the laws of radioactive decay. His most important discovery, found in May 1911 at the University in Manchester, was that atoms have a small, charged nucleus with most of the atom’s mass. This nucleus contained almost all of the energy of the atom and was comprised of both protons and, though he didn’t know it, neutrons. The nucleus also acted as an anchor for the electrons to move around. Within each nucleus is a huge amount of energy that we harness today in nuclear power plants. Our capability to do so can also be attributed to Rutherford, as he had discovered how to create stable and controlled nuclear reactions that he experimented with for the rest of his career. Without these discoveries, nuclear science would likely not exist and we would not have the understanding of the atom we have today.

Old Model – J.J. Thompson This model, known as the “plum pudding” model, was created shortly after discovery of the electron but before the nucleus.

New Model - Rutherford This is the model proposed by Ernest after discovering the nucleus. Animated Electron Nucleus

Facts about Ernest  Married Mary Newton in  Went to get a Master’s Degree in Art in Canterbury.  Had first class honors in math and science.  Was also known as 1 st Baron Rutherford of Nelson