What Did Henri Becquerel Discover About Natural Radioactivity?
Explore Henri Becquerel's groundbreaking discovery of natural radioactivity in 1896 and its significance in nuclear physics.
150 views
Henri Becquerel discovered natural radioactivity in 1896. While experimenting with phosphorescent materials, he observed that uranium salts emitted rays that could expose photographic plates, even without an external light source. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for the field of nuclear physics.
FAQs & Answers
- What is natural radioactivity? Natural radioactivity is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.
- How did Henri Becquerel contribute to nuclear physics? Henri Becquerel's discovery of natural radioactivity in uranium salts paved the way for advancements in nuclear physics and chemistry.
- What materials did Becquerel experiment with? Becquerel experimented with phosphorescent materials, which led to his discovery of radiation from uranium salts.
- When did Henri Becquerel make his discovery? Henri Becquerel discovered natural radioactivity in 1896.