What was Joliot-Curie's theory of artificial radioactivity?
Our theory of artificial radioactivity was grounded in careful experimental observation. We found that when stable elements like aluminum are bombarded with alpha particles, they transform into new, unstable isotopes that emit radiation with characteristic half-lives. The evidence compels us to consider that this process is not merely a curiosity—it demonstrates that radioactivity is not an immutable property of certain elements but can be induced. We showed that the new radioelements behave chemically like known elements, allowing their separation and identification. This work built on the Curie family's legacy but extended it into a new realm: the controlled creation of radioactive matter. The laboratory is a place of both discovery and reflection, and we always tested our hypotheses through repeated experiments, ensuring reproducibility before publishing.
Ask Frédéric Joliot-Curie the follow-up →