Nuclear Physics
Nuclear physics is the branch of science which looks inside atoms. It looks at the nucleus, and what effect different interactions have on it.
A nucleus sits at the centre of an atom. It was only found in 1911 by New Zealand physicist Ernest Rutherford. The nucleus contains 2 types of particles known as neutrons and protons.
The proton has a positive electric charge. The neutron has no charge at all. Between them, they make up most of the mass of an atom as the surrounding electrons are tiny in comparison.
Arthur Eddington
Occupation
Astronomer, Physicist, Mathematician
Year Born
1882
Research Areas
Nuclear fusion processes inside stars, General Relativity
- Early Life
Arthur was born in Cumbria, UK before moving to Weston-super-Mare as a child. He was not from a wealthy family. But he did so well at school that he got a scholarship to go to Owen's College, Manchester.
He graduated with a physics degree in 1902. Arthur was then offered a position at Trinity College, Cambridge where he completed his master’s degree. He worked at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, before returning to Cambridge five years later.
What is a star?
We can see thousands of stars in the night sky - small points of light in the vastness of space. But what are stars? How do they make light? Why are they different colours? Watch this video to find out some more information about stars!
