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**Welcome to the Rutherford's Wiki page!**
1871-1937 **
 *  Ernest Rutherford

Rutherford closely examined radioactive atoms (radium, in particular) and identified what are now known as alpha rays being emitted (released) from these radioactive atoms. He invented a machine that can detect a single alpha particle. (You will learn more about radioactivity later this year!)

In 1910, Rutherford "postulated" (developed the hypothesis that) atoms have a nucleus -- a central area that includes most of their mass. This was his greatest contribution to physics. According to Rutherford, practically the whole mass of the atom and at the same time all positive charge of the atom (all protons) is concentrated in a very small space at the center, in what is now called the nucleus of the atom.


 * Until Rutherford did his research, people did not know what the structure of an atom was**.


 * He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908** and he is widely credited with splitting the atom in 1917.