James Chadwick was born in Bollington, England, and lived from 1891-1974. He was enamored with math as a child, as well as physics. When he got a scholarship to college, he was interviewed by a physicist and, not wanting to offend and reject the physicist, enrolled as a physics major instead of a math one as intended. He even worked in Ernest Rutherford's laboratory for his research projects! He gained his masters degree at the age of 21, but had suffered throughout because of his little amount of money leaving him with little food.
Chadwick's most important contribution to the atomic theory was his confirmation of the neutrons existence. Many before him had speculated it existed, but none were able to fully prove it actually did. He was able to make this momentous discovery through the experiment of Irene and Frederic Joliot-Curie. In their experiment, they had protons ejected from wax by use of gamma rays. To Chadwick, this was not possible since to him, gamma rays could not do this, but he was enamored by the fact protons were shot out, so he tested it himself. Through his testing, he was able to have protons ejected through use of polonium, but their behavior could have only been done if hit by a electrically neutral charged particle, which confirmed the existence of the neutron to him!
Interesting facts about James Chadwick are that he aided in the creation of the atomic bomb. He was also knighted by the British government for his contributions. He even received a Medal of Merit from the U.S because of his contributions!
Chadwick's most important contribution to the atomic theory was his confirmation of the neutrons existence. Many before him had speculated it existed, but none were able to fully prove it actually did. He was able to make this momentous discovery through the experiment of Irene and Frederic Joliot-Curie. In their experiment, they had protons ejected from wax by use of gamma rays. To Chadwick, this was not possible since to him, gamma rays could not do this, but he was enamored by the fact protons were shot out, so he tested it himself. Through his testing, he was able to have protons ejected through use of polonium, but their behavior could have only been done if hit by a electrically neutral charged particle, which confirmed the existence of the neutron to him!
Interesting facts about James Chadwick are that he aided in the creation of the atomic bomb. He was also knighted by the British government for his contributions. He even received a Medal of Merit from the U.S because of his contributions!