Atomic Models and Nuclear Discoveries

Marie Curie was a Polish scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity, revolutionizing our understanding of the atom and paving the way for cancer treatments.

Marie Curie faced societal limitations as a woman in her time. Women were not allowed to study at university in Poland, so she had to gain an education secretly.

Marie Curie and Pierre Curie investigated radioactivity, a phenomenon discovered by Henri Becquerel.

Marie Curie and her husband, Pierre, discovered two new radioactive elements: polonium, named after Curie's native Poland, and radium.

The discovery of polonium and radium earned Marie and Pierre Curie, along with Henri Becquerel, the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903.

In 1911, Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work with isolating radium, a feat that made her the first person to win two Nobel Prizes.

Marie Curie's work with radium led to its use in radiotherapy, a groundbreaking treatment method for cancer.

The discovery of polonium and radium led to the creation of atomic physics - a new field of science

Rutherford proposed that atoms have a central core, called the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around it.

The phenomenon where unstable atoms release energy by transforming into other atoms, emitting particles like alpha, beta, and gamma rays.

The process of changing one element into another by altering the number of protons in its nucleus.

The French physicist who discovered natural radioactivity in 1896, by observing that uranium emits radiation.

Rutherford's machine was designed to bombard atoms with particles and study their behavior. This allowed him to discover the structure of the atom and various types of radiation.

The unit of radioactivity named after Henri Becquerel.

Alpha and beta radiation are two types of radiation emitted by atoms. Alpha radiation consists of positively charged particles (alpha particles), while Beta radiation consists of negatively charged particles (beta particles).

An effect that occurs when the body is exposed to excessive radiation. This can lead to various health problems.

A naturally occurring element that emits radiation, first discovered to be radioactive by Henri Becquerel.

Rutherford's experiments demonstrated that atoms can be split. This process, known as nuclear fission, releases vast amounts of energy.

Marie Curie's contribution to the field of medicine during World War I. They were mobile X-ray units designed to scan wounded soldiers.

Marie Curie's husband, who worked alongside her in research and was also involved in the discovery of radioactivity.

The element Marie Curie isolated in its pure form, proving its existence and properties.

A type of X-ray that uses radiopaque dyes to visualize blood vessels in the brain, helping identify blockages.

A surgical procedure where connections in the frontal lobes are severed to treat mental illness. It was controversial due to potential harm to patients.

Moniz's invention of the angiogram revolutionized the diagnosis of blocked arteries in the brain before the advent of CT imaging.

His pioneering work with prefrontal lobotomies, despite its controversies, established new avenues for neurosurgical interventions.

He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on prefrontal lobotomy.

Rutherford's model of the atom proposed that the atom is mostly empty space with a tiny, positively charged nucleus at the center, orbited by negatively charged electrons. This model was inspired by his famous gold foil experiment.

Rutherford's experiment involved bombarding a thin sheet of gold foil with positively charged alpha particles. Most particles passed through, some were deflected, and a few bounced back, suggesting the existence of a small, dense, positively charged nucleus.

Rutherford's experiments demonstrated that atoms could emit particles when bombarded, suggesting they weren't indestructible as previously thought. This led to the discovery of atomic disintegrations and nuclear reactions.

Rutherford's gold foil experiment challenged Thomson's 'plum pudding' model of the atom, which proposed a diffuse, positively charged sphere with electrons embedded.

Rutherford's discovery of the nucleus led to the understanding that the atom is composed of a dense, positive nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

Rutherford's research on the nucleus of hydrogen revealed the proton, a fundamental particle carrying a positive charge. His discovery laid the groundwork for further understanding of the atom's structure.

Bohr, building on Rutherford's work, integrated quantum physics to explain the discrete energy levels of electrons orbiting the nucleus, providing a more comprehensive understanding of atomic structure.

Rutherford, as Cavendish Professor, made his groundbreaking discoveries in atomic structure. He was a pioneer in nuclear physics and is considered one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.

The process of splitting an atom's nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy.

The splitting of uranium atoms, discovered in 1938 by Lise Meitner and her colleagues.

A brilliant Austrian theoretical physicist, known for her pivotal role in discovering nuclear fission and coining the term.

The award bestowed upon Lise Meitner, Otto Hahn, and Fritz Strassmann in 1966 for their contributions to the discovery of nuclear fission.

The pioneering work of Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch, published in Nature, which explained the core theory behind nuclear fission.

A physicist, a crucial collaborator with Meitner, who contributed to the discovery of nuclear fission and provided vital data.

She fled Nazi Germany in 1938 and continued her research in Sweden, collaborating with her nephew Otto Frisch.

Lise Meitner's contributions were foundational in the development of nuclear physics, setting the stage for immense advancements in the field.

The groundbreaking theory that explains gravity as a curvature of space and time.

A process where an unstable atom releases energy by transforming into a different atom, emitting particles like alpha, beta, and gamma rays.

Einstein's method of using thought experiments to explore and solve complex physical problems.

The effect where light particles (photons) knock electrons off a metal surface, explained by Einstein's theory of light quanta.

A theory that explains the random movement of tiny particles in a fluid, caused by the collisions with surrounding molecules.

A German physicist Lise Meitner discovered Nuclear Fission in 1939, after receiving a report from Otto Hahn of unexpected results from experiments she had urged him to do.

A new isotope of the radioactive element protactinium discovered by Meitner and Otto Hahn in 1917-1918.

A state of matter formed when a dense collection of low-energy bosons is cooled to near absolute zero.

Lise Meitner was a pioneer in physics who faced significant challenges as a woman in science. By 1926, she became the first female physics professor in Germany, demonstrating her groundbreaking achievements in a field dominated by men.

Einstein's most famous equation, E=mc², shows that energy (E) and mass (m) are equivalent, with the speed of light (c) as the conversion factor.

In 1938, Meitner fled to Sweden after Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. She sought refuge with the help of Niels Bohr and Dirk Coster.

Einstein's theory of relativity states that the speed of light is constant, and time passes differently for objects moving relative to each other at high speeds.

Although her groundbreaking work on nuclear fission was crucial to the development of nuclear power, Meitner was not bitter about not receiving the Nobel Prize in 1944. She was dedicated to science and found joy and satisfaction in the pursuit of truth and objectivity.

In 1934, Enrico Fermi achieved nuclear fission, but he didn't realize it at the time. He was working to create the first working nuclear chain reactor in 1942. The discovery of nuclear fission by Meitner and Frisch in 1939 led to further research and development of nuclear power by Fermi and other physicists.

Einstein's work in physics expanded on quantum theory, focusing on light, atoms, and subatomic particles.

A natural element found in the Earth's crust, famously known for its radioactive properties. These properties, including the ability to emit radiation, are the foundation of nuclear energy and have paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in energy production.

Einstein's predictions about gravity were confirmed during a solar eclipse, demonstrating that gravity is a distortion of spacetime caused by massive objects.

Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist and Arctic explorer who proposed the theory of continental drift, the idea that the Earth's continents have moved over time. He provided significant supporting evidence, including similarities in coastlines, fossil patterns, and geological formations.

Wegener's expeditions to Greenland were pivotal in his development of the continental drift theory. His research involved tracking weather patterns and studying geological formations, offering insights into the Earth's history.

In 1915, Wegener published "The Origin of Continents and Oceans", a groundbreaking book that visually illustrated how continents might have once been joined together. This book presented his theory of continental drift, which challenged the prevailing scientific views at the time.

Despite his extensive research and compelling evidence, Wegener's theory of continental drift was not embraced by the scientific community during his lifetime. His ideas were initially met with skepticism and resistance. It wasn't until after his death, in the 1960s, that his theory gained widespread acceptance.

Alfred Wegener's dedicated work on continental drift laid the foundation for the field of plate tectonics, the understanding of how the Earth's outer layer, the lithosphere, is divided into moving plates. His contributions revolutionized our understanding of the Earth's dynamics.

Tragically, Alfred Wegener lost his life on his fourth expedition to Greenland in 1930. He perished while attempting to reach supplies during the expedition, His death occurred just days after his 50th birthday.

Wegener's contributions, though not widely recognized in his lifetime, had a significant impact on geological science. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and his meticulous research laid the groundwork for the understanding of continental drift and plate tectonics.