Question

Which radiation was discovered by Rutherford?

• A. $\alpha \&\beta$
• B. $\beta \&\gamma$
• C. $\alpha \&\gamma$
• D. $\alpha ,\beta \&\gamma$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

$\alpha \&\beta$

History of alpha and beta rays:

• Ernest Rutherford discovered beta rays in 1899 while he was working on radioactivity by thin sheets of metal foils.
• He concluded that the beta radiations are those radiations that can pass through the foil before absorbing it.
• However, alpha rays are discovered after beta rays in 1903 while he was working with uranium. He said that alpha rays can absorb a few thousand centimetre of metal foil.

Final answer:

Hence, the option (A) is correct.