Atoms : The Nucleus
The nucleus is the center of an atom. Inside the nucleus are the larger
of the 3 particles in an atom - the neutron and the proton. Scientist
once believed that the atom's nucleus could not be divided. In the 20th
century, Scientists like Fermi and Oppenhiemer proved that nucleuses could
be split. Their research lead to things sucha s the atom bomb, nuclear
weapons, and nucleur power and even nuclear medicine.
Discovery
The nucleus of the atom was discovered by Lord Ernest Rutherford in 1911
in an English laboratory. Other developments in nuclear science quickly
followed. By 1941, the United States began creating a bomb fueled by the
splitting of the nucleus. In July of 1941, Oppenhiemer and the Americans
dropped the first atomic bomb, a test, in the American southwest.
Nuclear Fission is the division of a nucleus into smaller nuclei and
individual neutrons.
Nuclear Fusion is the joining of two small elements.
Sites will helpful information.
page created by Paula Jarrett Nasta
last updated 4/27/02