Burnside Rare Books

The Scattering of alpha and beta Particles by Matter and the Structure of the Atom [in] The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, Sixth Series, Vol. 21, No. 125 (May, 1911)

Rutherford, Ernest

London: Taylor & Francis, 1911.

First edition. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, sixth series, vol. 21, (May, 1911). In publisher's blue printed wrappers, pp. 585-696, plus 3 plates; with paper by Ernest Rutherford on pp.[669]-688 entitled "The Scattering of alpha and beta Particles by Matter and the Structure of the Atom." Very Good. New spine, ink eagle stamp to front cover and blank verso of plates. Lean to spine with several hinges exposed.

An incredibly influential paper of 20th century physics in which Rutherford announces the discovery of the nucleus in atomic structure. "In 1911, as a result of bombarding goldfoil with alpha particles, Rutherford formulated the hypothesis of the nuclear construction of the atom which is the basis of all subsequent work in atomic physics and chemistry. Most of the alpha particles passed through the foil, but some bounced back. Rutherford interpreted the bouncing in terms of his theory. Those that went through were simply passing through the planetary systems of electrons, while those that bounced back had hit, or interacted with, a nucleus" Printing and the Mind of Man, 411. Item #140940047

Price: $4,500.00