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Rutherford produced the first artificial transformation, changing one element to another (1919) by bombarding nitrogen with alpha particles and getting hydrogen and oxygen. After further research he announced that the nucleus of any atom must contain hydrogen nuclei; at Rutherford's suggestion, the name proton was given to the hydrogen nucleus in 1920. He speculated that uncharged particles (neutrons) must also exist in the nucleus. In 1934, using heavy water, Rutherford and his co-workers bombarded deuterium with deuterons and produced tritium. This may be considered the first nuclear fusion reaction. He was knighted in 1914, and created Baron in 1931.
The sun of freedom rises from the Caribbean Sea. The stars represent Costa Rica's seven provinces. Red was added to the blue and white flag to reflect the French tricolour. Effective date: 29 September 1848.
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