What Did Henri Becquerel Discover by Accident?

Explore how Henri Becquerel's accidental experiment with uranium salts led to the discovery of radioactivity.

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Henri Becquerel placed photographic plates in a drawer with uranium salts. Contrary to his expectations, the plates were fogged. This led to the discovery of radioactivity, a pivotal moment in physics.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What did Henri Becquerel discover? Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896 when he accidentally exposed photographic plates to radiation emitted by uranium salts.
  2. Why was Becquerel's experiment significant? Becquerel's experiment was significant because it marked the first observation of radioactivity, leading to a new understanding of atomic physics and the behavior of radioactive materials.
  3. How did Becquerel's findings contribute to science? Becquerel's findings contributed to the fields of physics and chemistry, paving the way for advancements in nuclear science, medical imaging, and energy.
  4. What materials did Becquerel use in his experiments? Becquerel used photographic plates and uranium salts in his experiments to explore the properties of radiation.

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