James Chadwick
By Justin Bohn
About Chadwick
Scientific Contrabution
In 1932, Joliot-Curies thought that using the radioactive element polonium, gamma rays that he had ejected a proton from wax. Chadwick took this information and came to the conclusion that it was not the gamma rays that knocked out the proton but instead the Neutron that he had been working to prove existed. He then, with some differences, repeated that experiment of using polonium as a source of what he believed was neutrons to bombard wax. He then made observations of the protons behavior while getting ejected from the wax. The protons followed what he predicted to be the manner that they should act if hit by what he called a neutron. This lead to the discovery of the neutron.
Why It was Important
Fun Facts
- Chadwick was alive during World War I
- He was a Prisoner Of War during WWI because he was studying with scientists in Berlin, Germany
- He was Knighted by the Crown of England making him sir James Chadwick.
- During WWII he also helped develop the Atomic Bomb
Bibliography
"James Chadwick - Biographical." James Chadwick - Biographical. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.
"Home." Famous Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.