Antoine Henri Becquerel (1852-1908), Discoverer of Natural Radioactivity: A Retrospective View on the Centenary of His Death

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 13 Issue 2 (2008) pp 102-110

Antoine Henri Becquerel (1852–1908), Discoverer of Natural Radioactivity: A Retrospective View on the Centenary of His Death

Jean-Pierre Adloff and George B. Kauffman*

Honorary Professor, Université Louis Pasteur, 63 Rue Saint Urbain, Strasbourg, France F-67100, jp.adloff@noos.fr, Department of Chemistry, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740-8034, georgek@csufresno.edu

Published online: 26 February 2008

Abstract. We describe a modular Raman spectrometer system capable of quickly collecting spectra from pellets of organic and inorganic substances, solid mineral samples, and solid biological samples. The system can be assembled from commercial components. This spectrometer system opens up the possibility of including solid-state Raman spectroscopy in the undergraduate physical and analytical chemistry laboratory curricula.

Key Words: Chemistry and History; radiochemistry; radioactivity; priority; scientific dynasties; uranium; polonium; radium; biography; Nobel prize

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: georgek@csufresno.edu)

Article in PDF format (248 KB) HTML format