Sir Ernest Rutherford

Sir Ernest Rutherford, Lord of Nelson is an intelligent well known New Zealander. His face is placed on the 100 dollar notes presently. People may ask themselves why is his face printed on billions of 100 dollar notes and who is he? I can answer these questions for you.

Who is Sir Ernest Rutherford?

Sir Ernest Rutherford was born near Nelson, New Zealand, 30 August 1871. He is the man who is behind radioactivity.

He studied at Cambridge University's Cavendish Laboratory, which was at that time he was under directorship of Sir Joseph John Thomson, the leading authority on electromagnetic phenomena. His early work with Thomson led them to investigations of electricity and radiation and then eventually to a detailed study of radioactivity.

In 1898, Rutherford obtained his directorship at McGill University, Montreal, and soon demonstrated his talents for radioactivity elements. Although others had discovered radioactivity, Rutherford gain dominance to this part of his study. He found during his time two kinds of radiation existed, he called these Alpha and Beta. He then worked with Sir Frederick Soddy from 1902 to 1903, Rutherford identified the phenomenon of radioactive half-life and formulated the still-accepted explanation of radioactivity. During his time Rutherford was awarded the 1908 Nobel Prize for chemistry for his work in radioactivity. He moved to the University of Manchester in 1907, were almost immediately he began to examine alpha particles because since they were relatively massive and of atomic dimensions, he felt that they were the key to understanding the nature of matter.

Ernest eventually died of Hernia diseases because there was no immediate honored doctor to operate him. Hernia caused pain and other potentially serious health problems. Ernest died October 19, 1937 at the age of 66.

(Why is Sir Ernest Rutherford’s face printed on 100 dollar Notes explanation.)

Ernest is a Native New Zealander and a national hero, who discovered mankind’s understanding of Atomic Science in the early 29th century. He won several awards in his work of chemistry. The awards he won was a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, a Copley Medal, an Elliott Cresson Medal, a Franklin Medal, a Rumford Medal and a Matteucci Medal.

Three of his discoveries helped to shape modern science and basically created nuclear physics and the way we see the structure of the atom today.

Rutherford's first discovery was that elements are not immutable. His second discovery, the nuclear model of the atom, became the basis for how we see the atom today: a tiny nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons. And his third great achievement, the splitting of the atom.

He is listed in The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography as, "the world's first successful alchemist". To wrap this question up is that he was very inspiring to other scientist, and he followed his dream with the help of other inspirational scientists.

He also had to feature on New Zealand currency in future, then get a good education by paying attention to all your teachers at school, never stop asking questions about things that you’re interested in, read about all sorts of different ideas from lots of different people and places, learn how to get on really well with other people so you can be a good leader, and get involved with important things that make a positive difference to hundreds or even thousands of people’s lives. That’s what Sir Edmund Hillary ($5); Kate Sheppard ($10); Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ($20); Sir Apirana Ngata ($50); and Ernest, Lord Rutherford of Nelson ($100) have all done.

I hope your questions have been answered and Sir Ernest Rutherford is loved to scientist and more. His discoveries are unbelievable to see, read and to hear about. He will always be New Zealand's hero for his work in science. He is inspirational to me because he achieved a very massive thing. His life expresses the knowledge he learned and I should learn as well. I  and he will be a ‘Successful Alchemist.’