.Ernest Rutherford, Pioneer of Nuclear Physics, and His Enduring Legacy. He uncovered alpha and beta rays, established the principles of radioactive decay, and identified alpha particles as helium nuclei. Most notably, he elucidated the nuclear architecture of the atom and achieved the historic feat of “splitting” an atom in a nuclear reaction.His likeness has been depicted on commemorative stamps and, since 1992, on New Zealand’s $100 banknote. Rutherford is the sole New Zealander to have a chemical element, rutherfordium, named in his honor.
