Nobel Laureates in Physics and Chemistry

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary contribution of Peter Higgs in the field of physics?

Study of quantum entanglement

Development of the Higgs field theory (correct)

Discovery of the electron

Invention of the laser

Eric Kandel's research primarily focuses on which aspect of biology?

Genetic mutations in fruit flies

Synapses in memory and learning (correct)

Hormonal changes in development

Neurotransmitter release in plants

Which significant environmental issue did Mario J. Molina help to address?

Global warming due to carbon emissions

Deforestation and habitat loss

Destruction of the ozone layer from CFCs (correct)

Ocean acidification from plastic waste

What medical advancement is Lap-Chee Tsui known for?

Identification of the gene for cystic fibrosis Signup and view all the answers

Mae Carol Jemison's notable achievement was related to which of the following?

First African American woman in space Signup and view all the answers

What innovative technique did Donna Strickland develop in optical physics?

Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) Signup and view all the answers

Carol Greider's research primarily contributed to understanding which cellular structures?

Telomeres and telomerase Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals received the Nobel Prize in Physics for work involving laser technology?

Donna Strickland Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Fred Hoyle support that was largely discredited in the 1960s?

Steady State Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which achievement is NOT associated with Katherine Johnson?

Researching chromosome differences Signup and view all the answers

What did Irene Uchida research about Down syndrome?

Effects of X-rays on chromosomes Signup and view all the answers

What significant propulsion system did Yvonne Brill develop?

Propulsion system for unmanned spacecraft Signup and view all the answers

Which contribution to physics is Abdus Salam known for?

Electroweak Theory Signup and view all the answers

Vera Rubin's discoveries in the 1970s suggested the presence of what in galaxies?

Dark matter Signup and view all the answers

What was Fred Hoyle's view of the term 'Big Bang'?

He viewed it disparagingly. Signup and view all the answers

Which space mission did Katherine Johnson NOT work on?

Mars Rover Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peter Higgs

Born in Newcastle, England, in 1929
Studied physics at King's College, London
Developed a theory explaining the origin of the mass of elementary particles
Predicted the existence of the Higgs boson, a particle that interacts with a field called the Higgs field
The search for the Higgs boson led to the creation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN
Shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics with François Englert for their work in 1964

Mario J. Molina

Born in Mexico City in 1943
Became a chemical engineer
Collaborated with Sherwood Rowland in 1974
Showed that CFCs released from aerosols, foams, and refrigerants destroy the ozone layer
This work led to the banning of CFCs
Awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with F. Sherwood Rowland

Lap-Chee Tsui

Born in Shanghai, China
Moved to Canada in 1977
Jointly found the faulty gene responsible for cystic fibrosis
The identification of the faulty gene paved the way for new treatments for cystic fibrosis
This life-threatening disease causes mucus production by the body to become thick

Mae Carol Jemison

First African American woman to travel in space
Traveled in the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992
Graduated from medical school in 1981

Donna Strickland

Canadian optical physicist
Pioneered the creation of the most intense laser pulses
Developed a technique called chirped pulse amplification (CPA)
Shared the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics with Gérard Mourou

Eric Kandel

Born in Vienna in 1929
Studied medicine at New York University
Awarded the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the role synapses (nerve junctions) play in memory and learning

Carol Greider

First American molecular biologist
Research focused on telomeres and the enzyme telomerase
Telomeres are DNA segments located at the ends of chromosomes
They play a critical role in cell life
Shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Elizabeth Blackburn and Jack W. Szostak for their work
Found that inhibiting telomerase in cancer cells slows tumor growth.

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Description

Explore the remarkable contributions of Nobel Prize winners Peter Higgs, Mario J. Molina, and Lap-Chee Tsui. This quiz highlights their groundbreaking work in physics and chemistry, along with their impact on our understanding of particles and environmental science.