Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson, OM, FRSwas a New Zealand physicist who came to be known as the father of nuclear physics. Encyclopædia Britannica considers him to be the greatest experimentalist since Michael Faraday...
NationalityNew Zealander
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth30 August 1871
CityBrightwater, New Zealand
europe matter rays
The great object is to find the theory of the matter [of X-rays] before anyone else, for nearly every professor in Europe is now on the warpath.
hydrogen-atom long atoms
From the results so far obtained it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the long-range atoms arising from collision of alpha particles with nitrogen are not nitrogen atoms but probably atoms of hydrogen, or atoms of mass 2. If this be the case, we must conclude that the nitrogen atom is disintegrated under the intense forces developed in a close collision with a swift alpha particle, and that the hydrogen atom which is liberated formed a constituent part of the nitrogen nucleus.
science odds should
You should never bet against anything in science at odds of more than about 10-12 to 1.
unexpected metamorphosis chemist
I must confess it was very unexpected and I am very startled at my metamorphosis into a chemist.
engineering needs physics
The more physics you have the less engineering you need.
science gentleman
Gentlemen, now you will see that now you see nothing. And why you see nothing you will see presently.
witty humorous science
All science is either physics or stamp collecting.
science talking atomic-energy
The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing. Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine.
race order track
I have to keep going, as there are always people on my track. I have to publish my present work as rapidly as possible in order to keep in the race. The best sprinters in this road of investigation are Becquerel and the Curies...
strong simple ideas
I am a great believer in the simplicity of things and as you probably know I am inclined to hang on to broad & simple ideas like grim death until evidence is too strong for my tenacity.
clever reading science
I've just finished reading some of my early papers, and you know, when I'd finished I said to myself, 'Rutherford, my boy, you used to be a damned clever fellow.' (1911)
children pieces watches
We are rather like children, who must take a watch to pieces to see how it works.
witty humorous insightful
The only possible conclusion the social sciences can draw is: some do, some don't.
bartender theory damn
A theory that you can't explain to a bartender is probably no damn good.