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Questions and Answers
Which factor most significantly contributed to Lise Meitner's early access to advanced education, despite societal limitations for women at the time?
Which factor most significantly contributed to Lise Meitner's early access to advanced education, despite societal limitations for women at the time?
- Winning a scholarship that specifically supported women in STEM.
- The public school system in Vienna readily accepting female students.
- Her brother's connections with prominent scientists who advocated for her education.
- Her father's influence and financial support for private tutoring. (correct)
What was the primary reason Lise Meitner moved to Sweden in 1938?
What was the primary reason Lise Meitner moved to Sweden in 1938?
- To escape the increasing persecution of Jewish people under Nazi German rule after the annexation of Austria. (correct)
- To recover from a severe illness and seek a more peaceful and supportive environment.
- To collaborate with Swedish scientists on a highly classified nuclear project.
- To accept a prestigious professorship at the University of Stockholm.
What was the key contribution made by Meitner that resulted in the published theory of nuclear fission?
What was the key contribution made by Meitner that resulted in the published theory of nuclear fission?
- Developing the chemical techniques necessary to isolate and analyze the products of nuclear fission.
- Conducting the initial experiments that demonstrated the splitting of the uranium atom.
- Providing the theoretical explanation and calculations that elucidated the process of nuclear fission, coining the term. (correct)
- Securing funding for the research project that ultimately led to the discovery of nuclear fission.
What distinguished Meitner's doctoral thesis from conventional physics research at the University of Vienna in 1906?
What distinguished Meitner's doctoral thesis from conventional physics research at the University of Vienna in 1906?
Besides physics, what other subject was of particular interest to Lise Meitner during her childhood?
Besides physics, what other subject was of particular interest to Lise Meitner during her childhood?
Flashcards
Lise Meitner
Lise Meitner
An Austrian physicist known for coining 'nuclear fission'.
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Fission
The process of splitting an atomic nucleus to release energy.
University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The institution where Meitner studied and earned her doctorate.
Leibniz Medal
Leibniz Medal
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Enrico Fermi Award
Enrico Fermi Award
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Study Notes
Lise Meitner
- Austrian theoretical nuclear physicist
- Coined the term "nuclear fission"
- Explained the science behind the splitting of uranium atoms
- Carried out her work with colleagues in 1938
Meitner's Background
- Grew up in Vienna, third of eight children
- Jewish family, Father was a lawyer
- Intellectually stimulating environment, often present in family gatherings
- Kept a mathematics notebook at a very young age
- Asked probing questions about the world and the patterns around her
- Father ensured Meitner had the same education as his sons
- Private tutoring
- Passed the entrance exam for the University of Vienna in 1901
- Passed the university's physics course in 1901
- Became one of the first women to attend the university
Meitner's Research
- Worked in Berlin from 1907
- Worked as an assistant at Max Planck's physics institute
- Awarded the Leibnitz Medal
- Made supervisor of the physics section in 1917
- Escaped Nazi Germany in 1938.
Meitner's Revolutionary Paper
- Along with Otto Frisch, she published the theory of nuclear fission in Nature on February 11, 1939.
Meitner's Long-awaited Award
- Awarded the 1966 Enrico Fermi Award by US Atomic Energy Commission
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