What is Antoine Henri Becquerel known for?
My primary contribution to physics lies in the discovery of spontaneous radioactivity. Through careful experimentation with uranium salts, particularly those containing uranium and potassium, I observed a phenomenon where these substances emitted penetrating rays. This emission occurred independently of any external stimulation, such as light or heat, and was a property inherent to the uranium itself. My investigations, detailed in my work 'Recherches sur les sels d'uranium,' revealed that these rays could affect photographic plates even through opaque materials. This finding was quite noteworthy, as it represented a new and unexpected property of matter.
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