Marie Curie

French chemist (born in Poland) who won two Nobel prizes; one (with her husband and Henri Becquerel) for research on radioactivity and another for her discovery of radium and polonium (1867-1934)

Overview

Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist who made pioneering contributions to the study of radioactivity and the discovery of two new elements: polonium and radium. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields. Curie is also the only woman to have won two Nobel Prizes, and one of only four individuals to have won two Nobel Prizes in different fields.

Childhood

Marie Curie was born Maria Sklodowska in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. She was the youngest of five children born to a teacher and a school inspector. Despite her parents' financial difficulties, Curie was able to attend a school for girls where she excelled in mathematics and physics.

In Paris

In 1891, Curie moved to Paris to continue her studies at the Sorbonne, where she earned her degree in physics in 1894 and her degree in mathematics in 1895. While at the Sorbonne, Curie met her future husband, Pierre Curie, who was also a physicist. Together, they began to study radioactivity, a relatively new field of science at the time.

Discoveries

In 1898, Curie and Pierre discovered two new elements: polonium and radium. They also discovered that these elements were radioactive, meaning they emitted energy in the form of particles and waves. The discovery of radioactivity opened up a new field of science and revolutionized our understanding of the atom.

Nobel Prize

In 1903, Marie and Pierre Curie were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their discovery of radioactivity. Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields. In 1911, Curie was awarded her second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for her discovery of radium and polonium.

Contributions to society

In addition to her scientific work, Curie also made significant contributions to society. During World War I, she established the Curie Radiological Centers, which provided mobile X-ray units for the treatment of wounded soldiers. Curie also developed portable X-ray equipment for use in field hospitals and trained other women to operate the equipment.

After the war, Curie continued her scientific research and teaching. She also served as the director of the Radium Institute in Paris, which she had founded with her husband in 1914. Curie died in 1934 at the age of 66 from aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder thought to have been caused by her prolonged exposure to radiation.

Marie Curie was a pioneering scientist whose work had a profound impact on our understanding of the natural world. Her pioneering research in the field of radioactivity led to the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, and earned her two Nobel Prizes. Curie was also a dedicated humanitarian who used her scientific expertise to help others during World War I.

Inspiration

She remains an inspiration to women and scientists everywhere.

References

1. "Marie Curie", Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Curie
2. "Marie Curie", Nobel Prize, https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1903/marie-curie/biographical/
3. "Marie Curie", The Royal Society, https://royalsociety.org/people/marie-curie-9759/
4. "Marie Curie: The Woman Who Lit Up the World", Biography.com, https://www.biography.com/scientist/marie-curie

Marie Curie Resources
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