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Patrick M.S. Blackett
(18 Nov 1897 - 13 Jul 1974)
English physicist.
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Science Quotes by Patrick M.S. Blackett (2)
A first-rate laboratory is one in which mediocre scientists can produce outstanding work.
— Patrick M.S. Blackett
Quoted by M. G. K. Menon in his commemoration lecture on H. J. Bhabba, Royal Institution 1967.
May every young scientist remember ... and not fail to keep his eyes open for the possibility that an irritating failure of his apparatus to give consistent results may once or twice in a lifetime conceal an important discovery.
Commenting on the discovery of thoron gas because one of Rutherford's students had found his measurements of the ionizing property of thorium were variable. His results even seemed to relate to whether the laboratory door was closed or open. After considering the problem, Rutherford realized a radioactive gas was emitted by thorium, which hovered close to the metal sample, adding to its radioactivity—unless it was dissipated by air drafts from an open door. (Thoron was later found to be argon.)
Commenting on the discovery of thoron gas because one of Rutherford's students had found his measurements of the ionizing property of thorium were variable. His results even seemed to relate to whether the laboratory door was closed or open. After considering the problem, Rutherford realized a radioactive gas was emitted by thorium, which hovered close to the metal sample, adding to its radioactivity—unless it was dissipated by air drafts from an open door. (Thoron was later found to be argon.)
— Patrick M.S. Blackett
In Barbara Lovett Cline, Men Who Made a New Physics (1987), 21.
