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Roentgen’s Experiment

Discuss the significance of Zeeman effect

In 1896, Zeeman noted that when electrons jump from higher energy level to lower energy level photons are emitted of specific frequencies or wavelengths. This effect has been to physicists in determining energy levels in subatomic and also identifying their angular momenta. This discovery also paved way for the study of atomic nuclei.

2a.Explain what Wilhelm Roentgen’s discovery was as well as the experiments that led to it.

In 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays. He experimented using vacuum tubes and discovered the new invisible light. As his experiments continued, Roentgen noticed that the rays were able to penetrate the soft tissue in his hand and stopped by the bones. After replacing the fluorescent screen with a photographic plate, he made the first x-ray image which clearly showed the bone on his hands.

b. Application of the scientific methods to Roentgens experiment.

1. Observe

His observation was on the cathode rays which made him notice that they would not penetrate lightproof when it was covered with the Leonard tube.

2. Question and research

Roentgen had a new type of phosphor and wanted to see what will happen. Under the influence of his question of using phosphor, he started buying different vacuum tubes. During the experiment, he covered the tube using cardboard, turned off light, and excited his vacuum tubes.

3. Hypothesis

Roentgen thought the cathode rays could not go through the lightproof covering over the Leonard tube. He wanted to know if fluorescent material of another type could penetrate so he prompted to use phosphor.

4. prediction according to the hypothesis

The phosphor material he wanted to experiment with had a small atomic number where x-rays could penetrate. After conducting the experiment he saw the shadow of the lead disk showing that x-rays were able to penetrate.

5. Test

He tested the experiment using phosphor as a fluorescent material

5. Fixation of the results

After covering the experiential tubes with a cardboard shield when lights off, and exciting his vacuum tubes he noticed a glimmer of light in his screen.

When he was also studying lead transparency to x-rays in front of the plates he noticed not only the shadow of the disk but also the bones of his hand.

3.Define the following terms

Fluorescent- this is just a phenomenon of emission of electromagnetic radiation usually visible light which is caused by the excited atoms in the material.

Fluoroscope – is an instrument consisting of a surface containing chemicals called phosphor that glow when struck by x-rays or gamma rays.Quantitative analysis- this gives a measured amount of certain substances and their standard units for example measuring volume.

Qualitative analysis- this is the description of the nature of a substance for example precipitation test.

Radioactive decay – This is where unstable nucleus tries to balance themselves by giving off the excess protons or neutrons either through beta or alpha for them to become stable.

Half-life- This is the time interval taken for atomic nuclei to half themselves by changing spontaneously into other nuclei species through the emission of particles and energy.

Polonium- Is a radioactive element discovered by Marie Curie and named after her country Poland.

Radium- Radium is a highly radioactive element mostly known for causing cancer.

Radioactive isotope- These are radioisotopes of the same chemical element but having different masses whose nuclei are unstable and emit excess energy by spontaneously emitting radiations

Analytical chemistry- It’s the study of different instruments and the ability to separate different quantities of matter

Radio chemistry-it’s a branch that deals with radioactive substances and their properties and uses

4a. Discovery of Henri Becquerel and his experimental setup.Becquerel is known for the discovery of radioactivity.

For his experiment, Becquerel took uranium salt conditioned them so that they became highly fluorescent, he looked to see if photographic paper reacted with as with the x-rays and surprisingly it worked. He continued his experiments until one day he left non-fluorescent uranium in total darkness with photographic paper which reacted the same. He realized that the photographic paper was not responding to the fluorescent properties of uranium but only radioactivity. Through his experiments, he accidentally discovered that uranium salt spontaneously emits penetrating radiation that can be detected using a photographic plate.

b. Apply the scientific method of Becquerel

Observe

During his study of uranium, he observed that uranium glowed but not knowing that uranium might be having other properties. He observed also that uranium was emitting radiations similar to x-rays.

Question and research

Becquerel was interested in the strange behavior of light, he decided to experiment using a highly fluorescent material, uranium. He developed a photographic plate and put uranium on it.

Hypothesis

He said that Uranium would absorb light and reemit as x-rays, after trying to figure out again that this florescent mineral became excited by their radiation without the help of solar energy

Prediction

Uranium being a radioactive element the result was to be positive since Uranium continuously emitted radiation after absorbing the light

Observation Results

He discovered that Uranium salt is affected by light and he was able to discover that Uranium salt emits radiation spontaneously where he observed the radiation on a photographic plate

5a Marie Currie work

He started studying Uranium radiation which he first studied insignificant study on the magnetic properties of steel which he benefited from the influence of a specialist in the field of magnetism

He was able to conclude that the activity of the uranium compound was determined by the number of Uranium atoms contained irrespective of the nature of the chemical compound. HE dissolved a crushed peach plant in acid and separated the elements contained in it by the use of analytic chemistry. She succeeded in obtaining black radiation powder which she named polonium.She managed to isolate radium and more active elements than Uranium

Works Cited

Buchwald, Jed Z., and Andrew Warwick, eds. Histories of the electron: the birth of microphysics. MIT Press, 2004.

Garcia, Kimberly. Wilhelm Roentgen and the Discovery of X-rays. Mitchell Lane Pub Incorporated, 2003. 2) Hyperphysics.phys-astr.gsu.edu; Google site{3}

Redniss, Lauren. Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie, a tale of love & fallout. ! t Books, 2010.

Strutt, Robert John. The Becquerel rays and the properties of radium. Courier Corporation, 2004.