The Transmutation of Elements

Author: Thomassen, Lars

Year: 1928

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Unknown, Unknown

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/MRCC-NA33

Abstract

The first scientifically established transmutation of a chemical element, performed by artificial means, is due to Rutherford who showed in 1919 that it is possible to disintegrate nitrogen atoms by bombarding them with high velocity [alpha]-particles. These projectiles form a very powerful energy agent, and when they hit a nitrogen nucleus under suitable conditions, they knock out a hydrogen nucleus. Later investigations have shown that a number of elements can be disintegrated by this procedure.

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