Modern Physicists: Late 1800s - Present Suggestions

[AaronGaTech]

I'm taking modern physics class, and we have to do a semester long project over any physicist from the late 1800s on. My first thought was Tesla, but I want a not so obvious choice. So any suggestions would be appreciated. Just anybody that made somewhat significate contributions in any area of physics from the late 1800s to the present.

 

[Bob S]

Tesla was more of an electrical engineer. Choose someone like Earnest Rutherford, who in essence discovered that the atomic nucleus was not made of plum pudding (very large and soft), but instead was very small and very hard. See

http://www.rutherford.org.nz/biography.htm

Bob S.

 

[Feldoh]

Tesla was more of an engineer than a physicist. However a good place to start might be: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/

 

[AaronGaTech]

I know he was an engineer, but still relates pretty well with physics. But Rutherford is an awesome choice. I'm actually a nuclear engineering major, I find his stuff very interesting. Thanks for the help.