Henry Moseley

Seaman’s Barmy Army

What was his contribution to Science? British Physicist, Henry Moseley is known most famously for

his establishment of the Periodic Table of Elements.

In a short career much of the research he did contributed to the science of physics.

Many scientists believe if Moseley had lived longer he would have contributed a great deal more to atomic structure and that he would have also earned the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Background Born in Weymouth, Dorset – 23rd November 1887

His family were rich, aristocratic and scientifically accomplished. Henry Nottidge Moseley, his father, was a biologist and also a

professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Oxford. John Gwyn Jeffreys, his grandfather, was a biologist and

conchologist

It was not surprising that Moseley showed a great interest in the sciences

Education As a child he attended Eton

College

He graduated from Trinity College – University of Oxford.

Work and Research At the University of Manchester,

Moseley carefully observed and measured the X-ray spectra of various chemical elements obtained by diffraction in crystals.

Through his studies he discovered a pattern – a systematic relation between wavelength and atomic number. A discovery known as rather brilliantly – Moseley’s Law.

Contribution to Chemistry and the Atom Moseley’s work in early X-ray

crystallography was able to complete many chemical problems, some of which had baffled chemists for many years.

Problems such as the irregularities in the location of elements such as Argon and Potassium; the positioning of the inner transition elements in the Periodic Table – all could now be clarified on the basis of the atomic number.

End of his Era In 1914, Moseley planned to

continue his studies in atomic structure at the University of Oxford – resulting in his resignation from the university of Manchester.

His plans were cut short, on August 10th 1915 he was shot dead during the Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey.

Modern Shaping Many Physicists believe he

would have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Prediction of gaps in the periodic table and the discovery of synthetic elements to fill these gaps.

Predictions of the lanthanide elements.

THE END