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Now I know what the atom looks like.
Ernest Rutherford
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Ernest Rutherford's quote reflects a significant breakthrough in understanding atomic structure.

This quote by Ernest Rutherford signifies a pivotal moment in the field of atomic physics where he successfully revealed the structure of the atom through his experiments. His work laid the foundation for modern atomic theory, showing that atoms are primarily empty space with a small, dense nucleus at their center, thus transforming our comprehension of the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Themes

AtomScienceDiscoveryPhysicsKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a science class when discussing atomic theory.

More from Ernest Rutherford

That which is not measurable is not science. That which is not physics is stamp collecting.
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The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing. Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine.
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I am a great believer in the simplicity of things and as you probably know I am inclined to hang on to broad & simple ideas like grim death until evidence is too strong for my tenacity.
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All science is either physics or stamp collecting.
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If your result needs a statistician then you should design a better experiment.
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Should a young scientist working with me come to me after two years of such work and ask me what to do next, I would advise him to get out of science. After two years of work, if a man does not know what to do next, he will never make a real scientist.
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