Ernest Rutherford

Biography
Ernest Rutherford was born on August 30, 1871, in New Zealand, in the family of English settlers. He was the fourth child in the family.

School years
When five he was sent to primary school and then to high school.
At school he was good at physics, mathematics, English, French and Latin. He paid much attention to chemistry too. Ernest became the best pupil at school. At the age of 19 he finished school and entered the New Zealand University.

Student years
At the University Ernest Rutherford was the most talent student. He took an active part in the work of the Scientific Society of the University and part in the students’ sport competitions. After graduation Rutherford went to Cambridge where he continued his investigations.

Famous work
Rutherford’s famous work “The Scattering of Alpha and Beta Particles of Matter and the Structure of the Atom” proved in the process of splitting the nucleus matter was converted into energy, which for the scientists of the 19th century seemed unbelievable.

Did Rutherford study?
Yes, it helped to know the atom better.
At present we are only at the beginning of the application of atomic energy and all its possible uses for peaceful purposes in power engineering, medicine and agriculture.

Ernest Rutherford paid much attention to his young pupils.
Among his favourite students was Pyotr Kapitsa, a famous Soviet physicist.
About the students…

Ernest Rutherford died in autumn of 1937 at the age of 66, and was buried at Westminster Abbey not far from the graves of Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Michael Faraday.