Physics and Women in Science Quiz

Stevens made the groundbreaking discovery in the early 20th century that the sex of an animal is determined by specific chromosomes, specifically the X and Y chromosomes.

Stevens conducted her research on mealworms, observing their chromosome behavior. This allowed her to connect the physical characteristic of sex to a specific chromosome.

Stevens graduated from Stanford University with a Master's in Biology in 1900, then pursued her doctorate at Bryn Mawr College, earning it in 1903.

Stevens was a pioneer in the field of genetics, becoming one of the first female scientists recognized for her contributions. However, her work remained largely neglected during her lifetime.

Prior to Stevens' work, scientists believed that factors like temperature or nutrition determined an organism's sex. Stevens' research on mealworm chromosomes disproved this theory.

Stevens published her findings on sex determination in 1905, just before Edmund Beecher Wilson, another US geneticist, made a similar discovery

Stevens' research on sex determination established a crucial link between a physical characteristic and a particular chromosome, making it a landmark discovery in early genetics.

Rutherford's groundbreaking discovery that atoms are not indivisible, but contain a tiny, positively charged nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.

A type of radioactive decay where positively charged particles (alpha particles) are emitted from the nucleus of an atom.

A type of radioactive decay where fast-moving electrons (beta particles) are emitted from the nucleus of an atom.

The process by which the nucleus of an atom changes, resulting in the emission of radiation and the transformation of one element into another.

The first successful transformation of one element into another by Rutherford, achieved through bombardment of nitrogen atoms with alpha particles.

The positively charged particle found within the nucleus of an atom.

The process that occurs when a nucleus is bombarded with high-energy particles, causing it to split and release a tremendous amount of energy.

The study of the structure and properties of the atom, including its nucleus and surrounding electrons.

The phenomenon of unstable atoms emitting energy in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

Discovered by Henri Becquerel, this phenomenon is the spontaneous emission of radiation from the nuclei of certain atoms.

Henri Becquerel was a French physicist who discovered natural radioactivity while studying uranium salts. He found that these salts emitted radiation even without exposure to light. The becquerel, a unit of radioactivity, is named after him.

Marie Curie was a pioneering physicist and chemist. She conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity, isolating pure radium in 1910 and winning two Nobel Prizes for her work on radioactivity and chemistry.

The term 'radioactivity' was coined by Marie Curie to describe the phenomenon where atoms release energy and change into a different form.

Marie Curie and her husband Pierre Curie were both renowned scientists who extensively studied radioactivity. Marie Curie's research led to the isolation of pure radium.

Marie Curie was unaware of the potential health hazards of working with radioactive materials and often carried samples and stored them in her desk, highlighting the early understanding of radioactivity's effects. This is why people today are careful with radioactive substances as they can negatively impact health.

Radium is a highly radioactive element that was initially isolated by Marie Curie in 1910. It has been used in radiotherapy for its ability to target and destroy cancerous cells.

The fact that Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1911 solidified her legacy as a pioneer in the fields of physics and chemistry and particularly in the field of radioactivity.

Before Stevens' groundbreaking work, scientists believed that factors like temperature or nutrition influenced sex determination. Stevens' findings on mealworm chromosomes revolutionized the understanding of sex determination, linking it to specific chromosomes.

A state of matter where individual particles are so cold that they clump together to form a single superatom.

Einstein's theory that describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy.

The idea that space and time are not separate entities, but rather a unified continuum that can be distorted by mass and energy.

The constant speed of light regardless of the relative motion of its source or observer.

The concept that the passage of time is not absolute but depends on the observer's relative motion and gravitational field.

Moniz's technique used radiopaque dyes to visualize blood vessels in the brain, allowing for the identification of tumors.

Moniz's technique, involving injecting radiopaque dyes to image cerebral vessels, became the standard diagnostic tool for identifying blocked arteries until the advent of CT imaging in 1975.

Moniz believed that by surgically altering the frontal lobes of mentally ill patients, he could alleviate conditions like obsession and depression.

Moniz designed a special tool called a leucotome, a needle with a wire loop, to cut through but not remove the connecting tissue of the frontal lobes.

Moniz's lobotomies, also known as leucotomies, were performed on patients with depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, aiming to alter their personality traits and behaviors.

Moniz's lobotomy technique, further developed in the US, became a standard procedure for mental illness treatment until the 1960s.

While Moniz's lobotomies showed benefit for some patients, only a third recovered well, while many experienced serious harm.

Moniz, a pioneer in both vascular imaging and psychosurgery, faced a near-fatal shooting incident in 1939.

Despite his near-fatal injury, Moniz continued to practice, showcasing his resilience and dedication to his work.

Moniz, recognized for his pioneering work, was awarded the Nobel Prize for his contributions to medical science.