How Henri Becquerel Accidentally Discovered Uranium's Radioactive Properties

Explore how Henri Becquerel discovered uranium's radioactivity in 1896 by accident. A pivotal moment in scientific history.

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In 1896, Henri Becquerel discovered uranium's radioactive properties by accident. He left a uranium salt in a drawer with a photographic plate wrapped in black paper, expecting sunlight to expose the plate. To his surprise, he found the plate exposed without sunlight, leading him to realize the uranium emitted invisible radiation naturally. This discovery contributed significantly to the understanding of radioactivity.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is uranium? Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element used as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons.
  2. What are the properties of radioactivity? Radioactivity refers to the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.
  3. Who was Henri Becquerel? Henri Becquerel was a French physicist who discovered radioactivity and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903.
  4. How did Becquerel's discovery impact science? Becquerel's discovery laid the foundation for nuclear physics and advanced research in radiation and its applications.