View source for Ernest rutherford

== Introduction ==
'''ernest rutherford''' (1871–1937) was a New Zealand-born British physicist and one of the most important figures in the history of science. Known as the father of nuclear physics, he discovered the [[nucleus]], proposed the first nuclear model of the atom, and performed groundbreaking research in [[radioactivity]] and atomic structure.

== Early life and education ==
rutherford was born on august 30, 1871, in brightwater, new zealand. He studied at the university of new zealand and later earned a scholarship to the university of cambridge, where he worked at the cavendish laboratory under [[j.j. thomson]].

== Major contributions ==

=== Discovery of the nucleus ===
In 1911, rutherford conducted the famous [[gold foil experiment]]. He bombarded thin gold foil with alpha particles and observed that most passed through, but a few were deflected.

This led to a revolutionary conclusion:
<blockquote>
"An atom's mass and positive charge are concentrated in a small central region – the [[nucleus]]."
</blockquote>

This contradicted the earlier [[plum pudding model]] and led to the development of the [[rutherford model]] of the atom.

=== Rutherford’s atomic model ===
* [[electrons]] orbit a dense, positively charged [[nucleus]]  
* the atom is mostly empty space  
* explained atomic scattering behavior

This model became the basis for future developments, including [[niels bohr]]'s planetary model.

=== Work on radioactivity ===
rutherford coined the terms:
* [[alpha radiation]] – positively charged particles  
* [[beta radiation]] – high-speed electrons  
* [[gamma radiation]] – high-energy electromagnetic waves

He also discovered that elements could be transformed—[[transmutation]]—by nuclear reactions, a major step in nuclear science.

=== First artificial nuclear reaction ===
In 1917, rutherford became the first person to deliberately change one element into another. He bombarded nitrogen with alpha particles to produce oxygen and a [[proton]], making him the discoverer of the [[proton]].

== Honors and achievements ==
* Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1908) – for work on radioactive substances  
* Head of the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge  
* Raised and influenced future pioneers like [[james chadwick]] (discovered the [[neutron]]) and [[niels bohr]]

== Legacy ==
rutherford’s work laid the foundation for:
* modern [[atomic theory]]  
* [[nuclear physics]]  
* nuclear energy and weaponry  
* particle physics research

He is commemorated by:
* element 104: [[rutherfordium (rf)]]  
* statues and honors in new zealand, canada, and the uk  
* his image appears on the new zealand $100 note

== see also ==
* [[nucleus]]  
* [[proton]]  
* [[neutron]]  
* [[radioactivity]]  
* [[gold foil experiment]]  
* [[atomic structure]]  
* [[j.j. thomson]]  
* [[james chadwick]]  
* [[niels bohr]]

== references and further reading ==
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ernest-Rutherford Britannica – Ernest Rutherford]  
* Royal Society archives  
* University of Cambridge historical physics resources  
* NCERT and Oxford chemistry textbooks

== disclaimer ==
''This article is for educational and academic use only. It supports science education through verified content formatted for MediaWiki environments.''