Ernest Rutherford and Frederick Soddy: 1908 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Born in Nelson, New Zealand in 1871, Ernest Rutherford––now considered to be the “father of nuclear physics”–was one of the most accomplished physicists of his time. Among some of Rutherford’s most significant achievements include the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the concept of radioactive half-life. At the age of 26, Rutherford moved to Montreal where was appointed as a physics professor at McGill University. Three years into working at McGill, Rutherford began collaborating with chemist Frederick Soddy on experiments which explored the conversion of one chemical element into another through radioactive decay – an idea that previously belonged to the realm of alchemy. In the span of two years, Rutherford and Soddy co-published 9 papers together, including the revolutionary two-part paper titled “The cause and nature of radioactivity”.
Explore this Esri ArcGIS intertwining timeline to discover Rutherford and Soddy’s story.
Written and researched by Joshua Mogyoros
Josh Mogyoros
Education Collaborator
Josh Mogyoros is a dedicated educator and lifelong learner. Holding a Bachelor’s and Master of Science in Physics from the University of Guelph, Joshua’s focus shifted to science education during his Master of Teaching program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at OISE, researching the role of epistemically reflexive teaching practices in fostering science media literacy. With a deep appreciation for critical reasoning and self-awareness, Joshua strives to empower students to become informed and engaged citizens.
Storymap by Brent Crane
Brent Crane
StoryMaps Coordinator and Education Consultant
Brent Crane graduated from Nipissing University’s Concurrent Education Program with a BA Honours Specialization in Mathematics and a Minor in History in 2021. Brent’s passion for interdisciplinary education, particularly within his teachable subjects led him to work on educational resources for the Defining Moments Team. He hopes to create enthusiasm for Canadian history in learners across the nation.