The Discovery of Radioactivity (1965)

In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays while experimenting with cathode rays and crystals, leading to the realization that invisible rays could cause fluorescence and penetrate lightproof materials. Following this, Henri Becquerel found that uranium salts emitted similar rays, which he termed radioactive. Marie Curie and her husband Pierre isolated radioactive elements from pitchblende, discovering polonium and radium, the latter being significantly more powerful. Further research by scientists like Ernest Rutherford categorized radioactive emissions into alpha, beta, and gamma rays, leading to the understanding of radioactive decay and the concept of half-life. This exploration fundamentally changed the perception of atomic structure and matter.

Keywords
Wilhelm Röntgen, X-rays, cathode rays, fluorescence, Henri Becquerel, uranium, radioactivity, Marie Curie, polonium, radium, Ernest Rutherford, alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, radioactive decay, half-life, atomic structure

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