Meaning & Definition of word "Rutherford"
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Rutherford
/ˈrʌðərfərd/
noun:
- 1. A unit of radioactivity equal to one million disintegrations per second, commonly used in nuclear physics.
- Example: The experiment required a measurement of activity in rutherfords to determine the decay rate.
- 2. A surname of significant historical figures, including Ernest Rutherford, known as the father of nuclear physics.
- Example: Rutherford's contributions to atomic theory changed the course of modern physics.
Etymology
The name Rutherford is of Old English origin, meaning 'cattle ford'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
Rutherford atom model:
A model of the atom proposed by Ernest Rutherford that describes the atom as having a small, dense nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.
Rutherford experiment:
Refers to Rutherford's gold foil experiment which provided evidence for the atomic nucleus.
Related Words
nucleus:
The central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons.
atom:
The basic unit of a chemical element.