Pioneering Scientists and Discoveries
10 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes Annie Jump Cannon's primary contribution to the field of astronomy?

  • Pioneering a system for classifying stars based on their spectra. (correct)
  • Demonstrating the creation of organic compounds from inorganic substances using electrical sparks.
  • Discovering the relationship between luminosity and the period of Cepheid variable stars.
  • Developing statistical methods applicable to genetics and evolutionary biology.

Henrietta Swan Leavitt's discovery regarding Cepheid variable stars was most significant because it:

  • Led to a new understanding of spectra of stars.
  • Allowed for the accurate measurement of distances to other galaxies. (correct)
  • Provided evidence supporting the theory of nuclear decay transforming elements.
  • Reconciled Darwin's theory of evolution with Mendel's laws of inheritance.

Harriet Brooks' research primarily focused on what phenomenon?

  • The application of statistical methods to genetics.
  • The change of one element into another through nuclear decay. (correct)
  • The mathematical analysis of prime numbers and infinite series.
  • The classification of stars based on spectral analysis.

What was a significant factor that influenced Srinivasa Ramanujan's mathematical work?

<p>Limited formal training, relying on self-study and intuition. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key observation led Henri Becquerel to the discovery of natural radioactivity?

<p>Photographic plates were exposed even without exposure to light, when near uranium salts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Marie Curie contribute to our understanding and utilization of radioactivity, despite its dangers?

<p>She isolated pure radium and studied its properties, despite being unaware of the risks initially. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Urey-Miller experiment demonstrate?

<p>Simple organic compounds could form from inorganic gases with the addition of energy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Becquerel initially hypothesize the connection between phosphorescence and X-rays?

<p>He suspected that phosphorescent substances absorbed and re-emitted light as X-rays. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about Marie Curie's character from the challenges she faced and overcame?

<p>She was resilient, dedicated to her research, and committed to her family. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the unit of radioactivity named 'becquerel'?

<p>In recognition of Henri Becquerel's discovery of natural radioactivity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who was Henri Becquerel?

The French physicist who discovered natural radioactivity in 1896 while investigating X-rays and uranium.

What is phosphorescence?

The phenomenon where substances emit light.

What is a becquerel (Bq)?

The unit of radioactivity, named after Henri Becquerel.

What is Radioactivity?

Coined by Marie Curie to describe the energy released when atoms disintegrate into different forms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Danger of Radioactivity?

Rays emitted by radioactive substances can penetrate materials, posing health hazards if not handled carefully.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Annie Jump Cannon

American astronomer who classified stars and pioneered a system in 1901.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

Discovered relationship between luminosity and period of Cepheid variable stars, crucial for measuring distances to galaxies so far away.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Harriet Brooks

Canada's first female nuclear physicist; Discovered that one element could change into another through nuclear decay.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Srinivasa Ramanujan

Made contributions to mathematical analysis; Became a Fellow of The Royal Society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Harold Urey and Stanley Miller

Showed that with heat and energy, simple carbon-based compounds could be produced.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • Tu Youyou researched thousands of compounds for their antimalarial properties in the late 1960s.
  • She isolated artemisinin, which became the main malaria treatment worldwide, and earned a Nobel Prize in 2015.
  • Born in Ningbo on China’s east coast, Youyou's education was interrupted when she contracted tuberculosis.
  • She studied pharmacology at Peking University, where her tutor introduced her to herbal medicine.
  • In 1955, Youyou studied Lobelia chinensis (Chinese lobelia) as a remedy for schistosomiasis (bilharzia), an infection common in parts of China, joining the newly formed Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine .
  • Malaria is caused by the single-cell Plasmodium parasite and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitos and was on the rise worldwide, including in China.
  • The World Health Organization's global malaria eradication program occurred between 1955 and 1968.
  • There was increasing resistance to existing treatments like chloroquine.
  • In 1969, the Chinese government appointed Tu to head "Project 523" on Hainan Island after no new medicines had been discovered.
  • Project 523's goal was to source new antimalarial drugs from traditional Chinese medicines.
  • Within 3 months, Tu and her team gathered more than 2,000

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the groundbreaking contributions of Annie Jump Cannon, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Harriet Brooks, Srinivasa Ramanujan, Henri Becquerel, Marie Curie, and the Urey-Miller experiment. Understand their pivotal roles in astronomy, mathematics, and radioactivity. Review their challenges and enduring impact on science.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser