The Transmutation of Elements

[摘要] The first scientifically established transmutation of a chemical element, performed by artificial means, is due to Rutherford who showed in 1919 that it is possible to disintegrate nitrogen atoms by bombarding them with high velocity [alpha]-particles.These projectiles form a very powerful energy agent, and when they hit a nitrogen nucleus under suitable conditions, they knock out a hydrogen nucleus.Later investigations have shown that a number of elements can be disintegrated by this procedure.

[发布机构] University:California Institute of Technology;Department:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

[关键词] Physics