Radioactivity

Radioactivity

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen 1845-1923 A German Scientist Discovered x-rays - 1895

Barium platinocyanide

X-Ray • A ray that could travel through walls • Were like light energy that could penetrate other bodies and affect photographic plates.

• Can pass may forms of matter and they are therefore used medically and industrially to examine the internal structure.

Henri Becquerel (1852-1908) Frenchman Radiation activity, 1896

• Experimented a sample of uranium compound.

Image of potassium uranyl sulfate

Uranium nitrate

Pierre Curie (1859-1906) Marie Curie (1867-1934) Radioactivity- 1898 Polonium - 1898 Radium - 1898

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A colleague of Henry Bequerel. Named the experiment of Henry Bequerel as radioactivity. The first women to receive a Noble prize in physics. Marie Curie with inset photo of Pierre Curie

Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) α, β, - 1903

• Also investigated radiation from uranium. In his lab at McGill University, 1903

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alpha ray (α)- are stream of alpha particle - contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons. -rapidly dissipates their energy as they pass through materials.

• Beta radiation (β) – negatively charged particles emitted by the nucleus of radioactive elements. - may cause skin burns and are harmful within the body. A thin sheet of metal can afford protection to the skin.

Paul Viliard discovered the γ- 1900

• Gamma ray- similar to X-ray but it is more highly penetrating and neither mass nor charge.

- Used for radiation therapy to treat cancer. - Exposure to gamma radiation will be lethal.