Abstract
M. AND MME. JOLIOT-CURIE have long been distinguished for their work in various branches of radioactivity. After the discovery of the positive electron, they made several investigations of its mode of production, and quite early concluded that it could be formed in some manner other than by the action of y-rays. In particular they observed positive electrons to accompany neutrons in the disintegration of certain light elements by a-rays. Further investigation of this led them to the striking discovery that while the neutrons were emitted simultaneously with the bombardment by the a-particles, the emission of positrons was an entirely separate process occurring after the source of a-particles had been removed. By a variety of experiments, they were able to show that they had formed new radioactive bodies, and in many cases they were able to verify the chemical nature of the substances by using their radioactive properties as an indicator. This is a discovery of fundamental importance, and has provided a new and powerful method of investigating the transmutations of bodies. In the last year this work has been much extended by the proof that the neutron is very effective in forming new radioactive bodies, and both these and all other investigations have only tended to increase the importance of this new phenomenon, which in addition to furnishing many new isotopic species, promises to throw great light on the true nature of radioactivity.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nobel Prize for Chemistry: M. and Mme. Joliot-Curie. Nature 136, 824 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/136824b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/136824b0