Alphas Quote by Ernest Rutherford
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1919 Royal Society Lecture, Ernest Rutherford, 1919
Rutherford suggests that alpha‑particle collisions break nitrogen nuclei, producing hydrogen‑like particles, implying nuclear transmutation.
In simple terms: Alpha particles can split nitrogen into hydrogen.
Key Takeaway
Consider nuclear reactions in particle collisions.
Themes
physics
atomic theory
transmutation
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
scientific
historical
When to use this quote
- laboratory experiments
- early nuclear research
- particle accelerators
- radiation studies
Key Concepts
nuclear fission
particle physics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern discoveries alter this early view?
- What implications did this have for nuclear energy?
A Different Perspective
The interpretation was later refined with discovery of the neutron and modern nuclear models.
![“If, as I have reason to believe, I have disintegrated the nucleus of the atom, this is of greater significance than the war. [ Apology to the international anti-submarine committee for being absent from several meetings during World War I .]” quote by Ernest Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c73/ernest-rutherford-13268_apology_if-as-i-have-reason-to-believe-i-have-di_2899367.jpg)
![“If alpha [the fine-structure constant] were bigger than it really is, we should not be able to distinguish matter from ether [the vacuum, nothingness], and our task to disentangle the natural laws would be hopelessly difficult. The fact however that alpha has just its value 1/137 is certainly no…” quote by Max Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f20/max-born-17349_able_if-alpha-the-fine-structure-constant-wer_1491109.jpg)
![“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.” quote by Ernest Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/969/ernest-rutherford-13268_europe_the-great-object-is-to-find-the-theory-o_674764.jpg)
