Ernst Rutherford

Ernest Rutherford was a pioneering physicist known for his groundbreaking work in understanding atomic structure. In 1911, he conducted an experiment where he fired particles at a thin gold foil, leading to the discovery that atoms have a small, dense nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons. This challenged the earlier plum pudding model of the atom. Rutherford's work laid the foundation for the field of particle physics, influencing how we understand atomic particles and their interactions, ultimately shaping modern science’s view of matter and energy. His contributions earned him the title of the father of nuclear physics.