The German physicist awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of radioactivity was Henri Becquerel. In 1896, he discovered that uranium salts emitted rays, leading to the further exploration of radioactive elements. His pioneering work laid the foundation for future research in nuclear physics and chemistry. The implications of his discovery were vast, influencing medical technology, energy production, and our understanding of atomic structure. Becquerel's findings marked a significant shift in the scientific understanding of atomic phenomena.