2007-9-12

When Compton was still a little boy, his brother, Karl told him the story how Madam Courier discovered Radium. Little Compton was deeply moved and impressed by the dedicated spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Courier to explore unknown scientific field.
'Why does the radium ray have such strong capacity of penetration?'Little Compton turned to his brother, with his eyes shining. In his mind, his brother knew almost everything.
But his brother, at this time, could not answer his question. Actually, this question was beyond everyone in the world at that time; even when Thomson discovered the atomic model, the issue of radioactivity was not able to be completely explained.
'I don't know, too.'said his brother,'It is probably something happens inside the atoms, but what happens is exactly researched by scientists. We don't know it yet.'
Kids are always attracted by unknown matters. It is really amazing for little Compton to find that no man knew about the question.
He thought for a while, wrinkling his brows, and then said earnestly,'I will research how the radium ray is produced when I grow up, and I will let you know at that time.¡¯
The brother was very happy. He said, feeling Compton's hair,'Great, I am waiting.'In brother's opinion, it might be a thought flashing through Compton's mind, but Little Compton did dream about one day he can research on atoms. However, Compton was in deep trouble at his occupation selection.
It is because his parents hoped him to be a pastor, for his parents were excellent pastors, but the scientific fire already occupied the Compton's heart which reminded him to pursue another way of life.
Compton's father found the trouble of his son, which troubled himself. Father worried that, his son would be painful in future life if was forced to chose to become a pastor, the occupation disliked by his son; but while his son chose the occupation regarding scientific research, he was unhappy.
After thought time after time, father told Compton,'In my opinion, there is no occupation that is more gracious and respectable than pastor. Personally, I wish you to become a pastor; but it seems you are more interested and inspired in science. Doing science research, if I am correct, is a pleasure and competence of you; and to be honor, it is more valuable for the whole society.'Finally, Compton chose his favorite occupation, and the history testified his father's words that he was competent for the job. In 1927 when he was only 35 years old, Compton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.