The discovery of X-Rays and Radioactivity

Several great scientific discoveries were made in a period of a few years, beginning in 1895. These discoveries made great changes in chemistry as well in physics. X-rays were discovered in 1895, radioactivity in 1896, the new radioactive elements polonium and radium were isolated in the same year, and the electron was discovered in 1897.

W. Rontgen reported that he had discovered a new kind of rays called X-rays. These rays are produced when electricity is passed through a tube. The rays are outside of the tube, they radiate from the place where the cathode-ray electrons strike the glass.

Soon after the discovery of X-rays the French physicist Henry Becquerel investigated some minerals containing uranium. He found that these minerals emit rays that like X-rays can pass through black paper and expose a photographic plate. He also found that the radiation produced by the uranium minerals could, like X-rays, discharge electroscope.

Mary Curie began a systematic investigation of “Becquerel radiation” using the electroscope as a test. She found that natural pitchblende, an ore of uranium, is several times more active than purified uranium dioxide.

5. Open the brackets and translate the sentence into Ukrainian:

1. Much could be (writing, written) about the application of nuclides. 2. Many experiments have been (carrying out, carried out) in the field of radioactivity. 3. The work (doing, done) by the scientists was of a great significance. 4. Many of the above mentioned applications of radioactive nuclides or of the radiation (emitting, emitted) by them are directly or indirectly connected with industry. 5. A mechanical method was (substituting, substituted) by a new one. 6. This type of radiation consists of current of positively (charged charging) particles. 7. This discovery (following, followed) by many experiments was of great use of chemists. 8. The two substances (investigating, investigated) were homogeneous. 9. The man (speaking, spoken of) was the first to discover this phenomenon.