Lise Meitner: Pioneering Physicist

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was a significant barrier Lise Meitner had to overcome to pursue higher education in physics?

Her initial lack of interest in physics compared to other sciences.

Lack of financial support from her family.

The requirement for women to study abroad to gain advanced scientific knowledge.

Prevailing societal norms that restricted girls' access to formal schooling beyond age 14. (correct)

In what capacity did Lise Meitner initially work at Max Planck's physics institute in Berlin?

As an uncompensated guest researcher due to her gender.

As a paid research assistant to Max Planck himself.

As an assistant, which was an unusual position for a woman at that time but crucial for accessing research facilities. (correct)

As a senior research fellow leading her own research group.

Why was Lise Meitner compelled to flee Nazi Germany in 1938?

Because she accepted a prestigious research position at a university in Sweden.

As a result of new discriminatory racial laws implemented by the Nazi regime that threatened individuals of Jewish heritage. (correct)

Due to professional disagreements with Otto Hahn regarding the direction of their nuclear research.

Following accusations of espionage due to her international scientific collaborations.

What crucial contribution did Lise Meitner make to the discovery of nuclear fission, despite being in exile?

She provided the theoretical explanation and coined the term 'nuclear fission' based on experimental data sent to her by Otto Hahn. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Lise Meitner's doctoral thesis at the University of Vienna focused on which specific area of physics?

Heat transfer in inhomogeneous solids and its analogy to electricity conduction. (C) Signup and view all the answers

For what achievement was Lise Meitner awarded the Leibniz Medal in 1917?

For her discovery of protactinium. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Enrico Fermi Award, received by Lise Meitner in 1966, specifically recognized her contributions to which field?

Pioneering research in nuclear chemistry and physics, culminating in the discovery of fission. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguished the environment of Lise Meitner's childhood home in Vienna?

Frequent gatherings of intellectuals from various fields, fostering intellectual discussion. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Lise Meitner become one of the first women to attend physics courses at the University of Vienna?

1901 (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the image description, which of the following elements is visually emphasized in the depiction of Lise Meitner?

A laboratory setup with scientific equipment, highlighting her experimental work. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Lise Meitner

Austrian physicist who developed the theory of nuclear fission.

Nuclear Fission

The splitting of uranium atoms into smaller parts, releasing energy.