Correct Answer
Henri Becquerel
<b>Explanation</b> <ul> <li><b>Correct answer: C</b> Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896 by observing spontaneous emission from uranium salts.</li> <li><b>Key concept:</b> Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.</li> <li><b>Why others are incorrect:</b> Marie Curie and Pierre Curie identified radioactive elements (polonium, radium) but did not discover the phenomenon. J J Thomson discovered the electron, not radioactivity.</li> <li><b>Tip:</b> Remember Becquerel’s discovery preceded the Curie’s work on isolating radioactive elements.</li> </ul>