Do you know who discovered radioactivity? In this article we will talk about the scientist to whom this merit belongs. Antoine Henri Becquerel - French physicist, Nobel laureate. It was he who discovered the radioactivity of uranium s alts in 1896.
The origin of the scientist
Becquerel Henri was born December 15, 1852 in Paris, in the house of Cuvier, which was the property of the National Museum of Natural History. The life of each of the members of the famous Becquerel dynasty was connected with this house. The grandfather of the future scientist, Antoine Cesar Becquerel (years of life - 1788-1878), was first a member of the Paris Academy of Sciences, and since 1838 - its president. His studies of minerals were widely known. In particular, he studied their magnetic, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, mechanical and other properties. The house contained a unique collection of samples, which played a big role in the life of Becquerel Alexandre Edmond, son of Antoine Cesar. This man (years of life - 1820-1891) was also engaged in research. In addition, he was a member of the Paris Academy of Sciences, and since 1880 he became its president. AlsoHenri Becquerel's father was a professor of physics and served as director of the National Museum of Natural History.
Henri's first studies
When Henri was 18 years old, he began to help his father in his research, becoming his assistant. It was then that he developed an interest in the problems of photography and phosphorescence, which remained with Becquerel for the rest of his life. This interest was inherited by Antoine Henri, his son. Henri Becquerel's book "Light, its causes and effects" later became Antoine's reference book.
Antoine Cesar, the grandfather of our hero, paid great attention to the upbringing of his grandson. From a young age, there was something in the boy that allowed Antoine, who did not see outstanding abilities in him, still believe that he would go far.
Education at the Lyceum and the Polytechnic School
The atmosphere that reigned in Cuvier's house contributed to the formation of Henri's deep and serious interest in physics. The boy was assigned to the Lyceum Louis Legrand. In this educational institution, it should be noted, he was lucky with the teachers. At the age of 19, in 1872, Henri Becquerel graduated from the Lyceum. Then he continued his studies at the Polytechnic School. From the very first year, the young man began to actively conduct his own scientific research. Subsequently, the experimental skills acquired at this time were very useful to him.
Tragedy in personal life, first published
After graduation, Henri began a 3-year period of service at the Institute of Communications, where he carried out engineeringactivity. During this time, he married the daughter of a professor of physics. The girl's name was Lucy Jamin. He met her in high school years. However, the family happiness of the scientist was short-lived. Henri Becquerel lost his beloved wife, who was barely 20 years old. She left him a newborn son, Jean.
Science helped Henri get through this loss. The scientist is completely immersed in his research. In 1875, the first publication of Henri Becquerel took place (in the Journal de Physicist). His article was noticed, and the 24-year-old scientist was offered to become a tutor at the Polytechnic School. In this educational institution, 20 years later, he was already a professor.
Working with Father, PhD
Becquerel Henri in 1878 began to work at the Museum of Natural History, where he was his father's assistant. Basically, the subject of their works was connected with the field of magneto-optics and crystal optics. In particular, scientists have carried out interesting studies of how the plane of polarization of light rotates in a magnetic field. This curious phenomenon was discovered by Michael Faraday. Watching daily the progress of his son, who was already known as an excellent experimenter, Father Henri was proud of him. Antoine Henri Becquerel presented his doctoral thesis at the Sorbonne in 1888. This work was a continuation of the research of his father and grandfather, as well as the result of ten years of work by the author himself. She was highly rated.
Scientific career and remarriage
Henri Becquerel a year later became a member of the Paris Academy of Sciences. He took up the post of secretary of the physicaldepartments. After 3 years, Henri was already a professor at the National Museum of Natural History. His second marriage, 14 years after his widowhood, dates back to the same time.
Important discovery made by accident
If it were not for chance, we would remember this scientist only as a conscientious and qualified experimenter, but nothing more. However, one very important event happened. It was thanks to him that Henri Becquerel became known to the whole world. Interesting facts about this scientist are numerous, but perhaps the most curious is related to how he discovered radioactivity.
March 1 Henri Becquerel investigated the luminescence of uranium s alts in his laboratory. Having completed the work, he wrapped the sample (a patterned metal plate coated with uranium s alt) in opaque and thick black paper. The scientist placed this sample on top of a box of photographic plates in a drawer and closed the drawer. After a while, Henri took out a box of photographic plates. He manifested them, most likely following his habit of carefully checking everything. The scientist was puzzled, as he discovered that for some reason they appeared to be illuminated. Henri saw an image of a metal patterned plate, which for some reason appeared. How could he explain it? Light could not reach the plates in any way. Therefore, as Becquerel understood, some other rays caused this action.
Further study of the rays discovered by Becquerel
Physicists already knew about the existence of rays that lead to blackening of photographic plates andinvisible to the eye. Just six months earlier, Roentgen had made his sensational discovery. The discovery of X-rays is one of the most important events in the history of physics. At this time, everyone was talking about him. Perhaps that is why the report, which was made by the physicist Henri Becquerel at the Paris Academy of Sciences on March 2, 1896, was met with keen interest. On May 12, the scientist spoke about his discovery at the Museum of Natural History, in front of a wide audience. And then he reported this at the Paris International Congress of Physics, held in August 1900. By this time, the one who discovered radioactivity had already realized that the radiation he discovered was not luminescence. It is also unlike other radiation known to physicists. It did not change either under chemical or physical (pressure, heating, etc.) influences. There was no way to detect a decrease in its intensity. It seemed that some inexhaustible source radiated this energy.
By that time it was already known that the action of invisible rays, discovered by Becquerel, leads not only to the blackening of photographic plates. They also produce other actions, including biological ones. For example, ulcers formed on Becquerel's body from the drug that was in his pocket. They didn't last long. Since then, scientists have begun to put drugs in lead boxes.
Cooperation with M. and P. Curie
Among those who became interested in the discovery made by Becquerel, there were a number of prominent scientists. It should be noted Henri Poincaré, as well as D. I. Mendeleev, whospecially arrived in Paris to get acquainted with its author. Also among these scientists were the spouses Marie and Pierre Curie. Curie's interest led to important results. The history of the discovery of radioactivity continued with the fact that the following became clear: it turns out that it is inherent, in addition to uranium, to some other chemical elements, although to varying degrees. Scientists continued to study the physical nature of the rays discovered by Becquerel. As a result, the effect of energy release, which occurs during radioactive decays, was discovered, as well as induced radioactivity, etc.
Deserved recognition
The outstanding achievements of Henri Becquerel received well-deserved recognition. The scientist was invited to the Royal Society of London. In addition, the Paris Academy of Sciences awarded Henri all the distinctions then available. On August 8, 1900, Becquerel spoke in Paris at the International Congress of Physics, where he read the main report.
Nobel Prize
After 3 years, Henri Becquerel was awarded the Nobel Prize (together with Marie and Pierre Curie). His biography is also interesting because this scientist became the first Frenchman who brought the Nobel medal to Paris. The Curie spouses, unfortunately, could not come to Stockholm to receive it. For them, the Nobel Prize was awarded to the Minister of France.
Last years of life
An enthusiastic reception, honors, international recognition - all this awaited Henri Becquerel. However, he did not change his lifestyle. The scientist until the last days remained devotedscience as a humble worker. Henri Becquerel, whose discoveries were so important for the further development of science, died in Le Croisic (Brittany) at the age of 55. Craters on Mars and the Moon are named after him, as well as the unit of radioactivity, the becquerel. The name of this scientist is included in the list of the greatest French scientists, which is located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.
The fate of Jean Becqueray
Successful was the scientific career and Jean Becquerel. He proved to be a worthy successor to his father. This scientist was born on February 5, 1878 in Paris, where all the Becquerels worked. His life was long. The scientist died at the age of 75, being a member of the Paris Academy of Sciences and a recognized physicist.
New questions
Like all groundbreaking breakthroughs such as the discovery of energy-saving technologies, the discovery of radioactivity provided scientists with more than just answers. It also gave rise to new questions and problems. What mechanism underlies radioactive decays? What actions do the rays produce and why? Scientists still do not have an exhaustive answer to these and other questions.
