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The Discovery of Radiation
Henri Becquerd Discovered Radiation while working on phosphorescent materials. He wrapped black paper around a photographic plate and placed various phosphorous substances on the plate. This is important because he unlocked a whole new form of science. -
Discovery of Electron
In 1897, J.J. Thomson discovered the Electron using Cathode Rays.
This is important because it set the ground-work for other Elementary particle discoveries. -
First Nuclear Reaction
The first reaction was observed by Ernest Rutherford. He bombarded nitrogen with alpha particles and observed that the particles ejected were hydrogen nuclei. -
Manhattan Project (Start)
Albert Einstein and other scientist wrote Roosevelt a Letter warning him over Germanys Uranium-235 Purification project, assumed to be used for making explosives. The United States responded with the start of the Manhattan Project, our own Nuclear Bomb Project. This is important because it was the dawn of a new age of warfare. -
The First Nuclear Reactor
Enrico Fermi, Martin Whitaker, and Eugene Paul Wigner invented it during the Manhatten project in WWII. It was made to produce substantial quantities of plutonium, making it possible to use the energy from a nuclear chain reaction. It ended WWII and lead to nuclear power plants for electricity. -
Dropping of the atomic bomb
United States was the first nation to use atomic weapons in warefare when they dropeed the atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This was significant because it made the United States the first to use atomic weapons. -
MRI Patent
In 1974, Dr. Damadian Recieved the Patent for the MRI machine. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is important because it was a large breakthrough for diagnosis. -
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act
The U.S., U.K., China, Russia, and France were all involved in this act. This act served the purpose to tighten the criteria for nuclear cooperation and reshape the nuclear fuel cycle. It really reinforces safety associated with nuclear power. -
Three Mile Island
A cooling malfunction lead to the core of reactor two to melt. This is important because it has lead to reaserch towards safer nuclear reactors. -
Discovery of X-Rays
In 1985, a German Physicist named W.C. Roentgen discovered X-Rays while experimenting. He filled a tube with a special gas and passed an electric voltage through the tube. The tube glowed, and after sheilding the tube with dark paper, he realised he could still see the glow on a screen a few feet away. This is important because X-Rays pass through human tissue allowing for bone structure images. -
Chernobyl
In 1986, a Reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine had a Melt down due to Faulty Equipment and Inadequate Personnel. This is important because it was a learning experience.