Henri Becquerel

Discoverer of radioactivity, paving the way for nuclear physics and modern energy

Henri Becquerel (1852–1908) was a French physicist whose accidental discovery of radioactivity in 1896 revolutionized science. While studying uranium salts, he noticed they emitted penetrating rays without external energy, dubbing this phenomenon 'spontaneous radioactivity'. This finding earned him the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, shared with Marie and Pierre Curie. Read more about his Nobel-winning work.

Becquerel's discovery challenged classical physics and led to the development of nuclear science. His work inspired Marie Curie's research into radium and polonium, which expanded applications in medicine and energy. Despite initial skepticism, his findings became foundational for technologies like X-rays and cancer treatments. Explore the legacy of radioactivity.

Becquerel's career bridged 19th-century experimentalism and 20th-century atomic theory. His name is immortalized in the SI unit for radioactivity, the becquerel (Bq). Institutions like the Curie Institute continue his quest to harness radioactivity for humanity, cementing his role as a visionary who made a difference.