Albert einstein 09

Key Events in the Understanding of the Structure of the Atom and Matter

By reesy307
  • A Theory of sound:

    A Theory of sound:

    as vibrations in an elastic medium is propounded by British physicist John Rayleigh
  • Radioactivity is discovered:

    Radioactivity is discovered:

    By French physicist Antoine Becquerel
  • Diffraction in X-rays:

    Diffraction in X-rays:

    German Physicist Max Von Laue produces diffraction in X-rays by passing them through crystals, showing that X rays are electromagnetic waves
  • Quantum Theory

    Quantum Theory

    Danish physicist Niels Bohr develops the quantum theory of the hydrogen atom
  • Theory of Relativity:

    Theory of Relativity:

    Albert Einstein develops his general theory of relativity, incorporating gravitation and acceleration into the theory and developing the notion of the space-time continuum
  • The Existence of the Proton:

    The Existence of the Proton:

    Ernest Rutherford demonstrates the existence of the proton, the particle in the atomic nucleus carrying a positive charge (1916)
  • Electrons can behave as Waves

    Electrons can behave as Waves

    French physicist Louis De Broglie finds, by combining quantum theory with Einstein’s mass – energy equation, that electrons can behave as waves
  • Wave Mechanics

    Wave Mechanics

    German physicist Erwin Schrödinger develops de Broglie’s ideas into a complete theory of subatomic behaviour, called wave mechanics.
  • The discovery of the Neutron:

    The discovery of the Neutron:

    Made by British physicist James Chadwick.The following year American physicist Carl Anderson discovers the Positron

  • The Neutrino:

    An elementary particle, is discovered by American physicists Clyde Woman and Fred Reins
  • Evidence of the existence of W and Z Particles

    Evidence of the existence of W and Z Particles

    This is confirmed at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory, establishing the link between the weak nuclear force and the electromagnetic force. (1983)