B Reactor History Room: Discovery of the Neutron

The Discovery of the Neutron exhibit panel in the History Room.

See exhibit panel for specific image credits.

Main Text
Text at the left reads: “James Chadwick offered his expertise in physics to General Leslie Groves to aid the U.S. efforts to build an atomic weapon during World War II.”

Text at the bottom right continues: “Discovery of the Neutron - James Chadwick, a tenacious scientist who overcame the obstacles of childhood poverty and internment in a German prison camp during World War I, is credited with discovery of the neutron in 1932. His discovery was a milestone in understanding the nucleus of an atom and paved the way for the discovery of the fission process. In spite of the dangers from aerial bombardments over Liverpool during World War II, Chadwick pursued experimentations with fission leading to the feasibility of an atomic bomb for the British government. His conclusions helped motivate the U.S. government to invest in the Manhattan Project.”

Exhibit Panel Description
A 1932 black-and-white photograph shows a slender man with his dark hair combed straight back wearing a pair of wirerimmed glasses, and a double-breasted suit. He sits beside a man in long-sleeve military attire and tie.

Visit This Exhibit Panel
In-person visitation of the B Reactor is only authorized on guided tours offered by the Department of Energy.