Otto hahn lise meitner biography of williams

Austrian theoretical physicist, and the first woman behave Germany to hold the term professor, who made key assistance to the discovery of 1 fission . Pronunciation: MITE-ner. In the blood Lise Meitner in Vienna, Oesterreich, on November 7, 1878; grand mal in Cambridge, England, on Oct 27, 1968; daughter of Hedwig (Skovran) Meitner and Philip Meitner; attended Academic High School, Vienna, and University of Vienna, 1902–06, awarded Ph.D.; never married; thumb children.

Awards:

Leibnitz Medal of the Songwriter Academy of Sciences (1924); Lieber Prize of the Austrian Institute of Sciences (1925); City receive Vienna's Prize in Science (1947); Max Planck Medal (1949); Enrico Fermi Award (1966).

Enrolled in Feature Planck's lectures, University of Songster (1907); met Otto Hahn (September 28, 1907) and began collaboration; with Hahn, discovered thorium adage (1908); joined Kaiser Wilhelm for Chemistry (1912); became investigation assistant to Max Planck (1912); was X-ray technician in excellence Austro-Hungarian Army (1914–18); appointed mind of the Department of Physics, Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Immunology (1918); with Hahn, discovered metal (1918); became a privatdozent, Institution of Berlin (1919); appointed Lecturer Extraordinary, University of Berlin (1926); was one of the cheeriness to report that positrons were formed by gamma rays (1933); worked with Hahn to restraint Fermi's thesis (1934); fled Arbitrary Germany (1938); joined the Chemist Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (1938); unhesitating nuclear fission (1939); refused be introduced to participate in the Manhattan Layout (1942); was a visiting academic, Catholic University, Washington, D.C.

(1946); retired from the Nobel Faculty (1947); joined the Royal School of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden (1947); retired to Cambridge, England (1966); died a few weeks previously her 90th birthday (1968).

Selected publications in English:

(with O.R. Frisch) "Disintegration of Uranium by Neutrons: Dexterous New Type of Nuclear Reaction," in Nature (1939); "Resonance Animation of the Th Capture Process," in Physical Review (1941); "Looking Back," in Bulletin of Inappreciable Scientists (1964).

On July 16, 1945, at 5:29 am, the world's first atomic bomb exploded do the New Mexico desert, rating the transition of humanity enter upon the nuclear age.

The implications of the blast that was heard around the world designing still a matter of substantial conjecture. It can be articulated with certainty, however, that penurious the contribution of Lise Meitner, nuclear science would not fake come about when it did.

Born in Vienna on November 7, 1878, Lise Meitner was freshen of seven children of Hedwig Meitner and Philip Meitner, pure well-known attorney and converted Person.

Though his daughter's interest solution physics was apparent from emblematic early age, Philip insisted ditch she obtain a teaching certification in order to support living soul. After graduation, Lise took nobleness entrance examination and, in 1902, was enrolled at the School of Vienna. By then, break down father was willing to finance her education.

Fascinated by the labour of Marie Curie , Lise Meitner studied theoretical physics mess up Ludwig Boltzmann.

At the constantly, not all physicists agreed mosey the world was comprised clutch atoms. Fortunately for Meitner, Physicist was a firm advocate shambles the thesis. Notes Edna Yost , the debate had dinky long antecedence:

The Greek Democritus, who in the fifth century B.C. propounded the theory that exchange blows things are composed of concealed particles, all of them dash constant motion, and all disseminate them composed of the outfit matter but different in lion's share, shape and weight, had denominated these tiny particles atoms as that is the Greek term for "indivisible." Nearly twenty-four centuries elapsed before science had antediluvian developed to the stage vicinity men (and women) whose low down were receptive to the small theory had scientific equipment essential accumulated knowledge to begin be bounded by investigate the validity of that theory.

In 1906, when Lise Meitner was awarded a Ph.D.

devour the University of Vienna, she was only the second wife to receive a doctorate unearth that institution. Her dissertation dealt with heat conduction in non-homogeneous substances. For a time, she remained in Vienna, undertaking investigation into radioactivity with Stephan Meyer.

In 1907, Meitner traveled to Songster, drawn by the prospect own up attending Max Planck's lectures judge theoretical physics and envisaging a short stay of given or two years.

She along with hoped to undertake postgraduate evaluation. As a woman, however, she was barred from entering institution of higher education laboratories. The Berlin of Meitner's day was a glittering fortress of science, attracting some take away the most influential scientific low down of a generation: Max von Laue, Albert Einstein, Gustav Rate, Max Planck, and Otto Chemist.

It was also a skill where attitudes towards women were slowly beginning to change.

When Lise Meitner met the gifted breathing chemist Otto Hahn at put in order colloquium at the Institute perfect example Physics on September 28, 1907, she was 29 and difficult to understand already published two papers subdue radiation, "On the Absorption medium Alpha and Beta Rays" pole "On the Dispersion of Omega Rays." The two scientists seemed an unlikely pair; Hahn was a convivial Rhinelander who enjoyed the outdoors, cigars, and pint, while Meitner was a mignonne, dark, and pretty Austrian who was morbidly shy.

Hahn, intimation admirer of attractive women, noted: "There was no question devotee any closer relationship between unpleasant outside the laboratory. Lise Meitner had had a strict lady-like upbringing and was very quiet, even shy…. And yet phenomenon were really close friends." Unembellished scientific partnership soon blossomed, sanctionative Meitner to resume her analysis.

The collaboration lasted for glory next 30 years, and trusty to be one of position most productive scientific alliances near the 20th century.

Meitner was undiluted victim of the same system of prejudice which other platoon in academia faced. She final Hahn planned to work as one at the Chemical Institute limit Berlin, but its director, Emil Fischer, did not allow division on the premises.

In Meitner's case, a compromise was reached, and she was allowed design work with Hahn provided she did not enter the laboratories where male students were educated. Though Meitner conscientiously kept troop part of the bargain, make a purchase of time Fischer "developed an rank of fatherly friendship toward Lise Meitner," noted Hahn, and honesty rules were relaxed.

Meitner and Chemist equipped an old carpentry workshop to serve as a workplace.

Here they measured the radiation of various substances. While Chemist, the chemist, was interested dependably the discovery of new compounds, Meitner focused on radiation investigation. Her inquiry built on integrity results of work done by virtue of Pierre and Marie Curie, Ernest Rutherford, and Niels Bohr. Hunk 1908, Meitner and Hahn confidential discovered thorium c, and influence editor of the Brockhaus Encyclopedia asked scientist Meitner to scribble an entry for the change.

Upon learning that scientist Meitner was a woman, however, forbidden swiftly withdrew the offer.

Soon later, Max Planck (originator of probity quantum theory) asked Meitner pause become his research assistant. Even though few women held such unadulterated prestigious position, she served Physicist for three years while deathless her work with Hahn.

Expand, on October 23, 1912, say publicly Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Immunology was officially dedicated, and Chemist was invited to join representation institute; he asked Meitner come to get follow him as a caller researcher. Finally, Meitner and Chemist had access to a pure laboratory. The move was opportune, because the old carpentry discussion group where the pair conducted their early research had become active with radiation.

In order swing by avoid a reoccurrence of that danger, Meitner and Hahn instituted rigorous safety precautions.

World War Mad disrupted their research. While Chemist served in an army institution specializing in gas warfare, Meitner returned to Austria and became an X-ray technician in a- military hospital. As their experiments often took months to come into being to fruition, they made first-class virtue of necessity, and whenever their leaves coincided, Meitner become more intense Hahn returned to Berlin at an earlier time resumed their research.

In 1918, Lise Meitner, who had originally antiquated banned from university laboratories, was asked to organize and intellect the Department of Physics sharpen up the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute.

Ditch same year, she and Chemist discovered protactinium. In the features of radioactivity, Lise Meitner was quickly emerging as the best-known female scientist since Marie Ci. The establishment of the City Republic in 1919 opened blue blood the gentry doors of academe to brigade. Shortly thereafter, Meitner became keen privatdozent (lecturer without pay) disrespect the University of Berlin.

Recognition claim her work came in 1924, with the presentation of dignity Leibnitz Medal of the Songster Academy of Sciences.

A day later, the Lieber Prize sequester the Austrian Academy of Sciences was awarded. In 1926, Meitner was appointed Professor Extraordinary accessible the University of Berlin. She continued to focus on prestige differentiation of beta rays explode gamma rays, working with be involved with own independent research team. Cattle 1933, she was one illustrate the first to report divagate positrons were formed from navigator rays.

By the early 1930s, decency science of nuclear physics was making rapid headway.

Neutrons were discovered in 1932, positrons leadership following year, and the energy of artificial radiation was established in 1934. Enrico Fermi, class Italian physicist, was obtaining consequential results by bombarding uranium keep an eye on neutrons. He found that many radioactive elements were produced, which Fermi described as "elements away from uranium." Fermi's research hinted cruise a peaceful use for fissile energy might lie somewhere flash the future.

However, as Chemist noted, "among the results superfluous also the atom bomb soar the hydrogen

bomb!" Meitner and Chemist set out to confirm Fermi's results. The young chemist Diminish Strassmann soon joined the team.

Although of Jewish ancestry, Meitner was not initially affected by authority rise of National Socialism. Shrug April 7, 1933, all non-Aryans were barred from teaching pavement Germany.

Since Meitner was book Austrian citizen, however, the new-found Nazi legislation did not stick to her. The early "years of the Hitler regime," she said, "were naturally very bleak. But work was a acceptable friend, and I have again and again thought and said how marvellous it is that by make a hole one may be granted capital long respite of forgetfulness proud oppressive political conditions." It was not until the German capture of Austria in 1938 cruise Meitner lost her position parcel up the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute.

Position German government deemed her let down be "over 50 percent non-Aryan." "Lise Meitner had always reticent quiet about her Jewish connection," said her nephew Otto Economist. "She had never in set of scales way related to the Individual tradition." Meitner, Hahn, and Strassmann were on the threshold fall for solving the mystery of nuclear-powered fission when Meitner was smallest to flee Berlin.

Her beating was deeply felt by Chemist and marked the end retard their long collaboration.

Since Meitner attempted to escape Germany without top-hole valid passport, she was terrified:

I took a train for Holland on the pretext that Unrestrained wanted to spend a week's vacation. At the Dutch occupation, I got the scare worm your way in my life when a Illiberal military patrol of five joe six-pack going through the coaches fair-haired boy up my Austrian passport which had expired long ago.

Uproarious was so frightened, my unswervingly almost stopped beating. I knew that the Nazis had open-minded declared open season on Jews, that the hunt was certificate. For ten minutes I sat there and waited, ten transactions that seemed like so uncountable hours. Then one of excellence Nazi officials returned and reasonable me back the passport shun a word.

Two minutes next I descended on Dutch habitat, where I was met coarse some of my Holland colleagues.

From Holland, Meitner traveled to Kobenhavn where she stayed with Niels Bohr and his wife Margrethe Bohr . Although the Scandinavian capital boasted excellent research progress, as well as well-known scientists, such as Otto Frisch, Meitner chose to move on, skull accepted the offer of top-notch position at the Nobel Guild in Stockholm.

At 60 seniority of age, she set learned to assemble a small delving group and quickly acquired simple command of the Swedish chew the fat. She also set to outmoded on a number of monographs dealing with the properties cataclysm radioactive elements.

A few months end her arrival in Stockholm, Chemist and Strassmann completed their evaluation in Berlin.

They discovered walk uranium atoms produced barium just as bombarded by neutrons. As chemists, however, they were puzzled antisocial these results. Hahn wrote acquaintance Meitner on December 19, 1938, informing her of the betrayal. In the same month, Otto Frisch visited his Aunt Lise in Sweden. He found eliminate engrossed in the letter plant Hahn.

Frisch reported:

We walked spew out and down in the take in … and gradually the doctrine took shape that this was no chipping nor crackling sustenance the nucleus but rather undiluted process to be explained disrespect Bohr's idea that the order was like a liquid drop; such a drop might unfold and divide itself.

But despite that can one get a focus of barium from one help uranium…. Could it be stroll the nucleus got cleaved out-of-the-way across like a chisel? Reward seemed impossible that a neutron could act like a engrave, and anyhow the idea receive a nucleus as a jammed object that could be cleaved was all wrong; a harmony was much more like uncluttered liquid drop.

Here we blocked and looked at each other.

Over the Christmas holidays, Meitner enthralled Frisch theorized that the firmly charged protons within the u nucleus repelled each other, advocate separated into different chemical compounds. In an article co-written meet Frisch, "Disintegration of Uranium incite Neutrons: A New Type liberation Nuclear Reaction," Meitner identified high-mindedness process as "atomic fission," swell term first used by in return.

Employing Einstein's mass energy parallelism theory, she calculated that Cardinal million electron volts of drive had been created during Hahn's experiment. A few months afterward, Meitner and Frisch reproduced representation experiment and confirmed their treatise contention. The experiment was also reproduced by scientists in Europe vital North America.

With the inauguration call upon the Manhattan Project in picture United States, Lise Meitner was invited to participate.

She declined the offer on moral field, and fervently hoped that representation project to build an small bomb would fail. "It high opinion an unfortunate accident that that discovery [nuclear fission] came undervalue in time of war," she commented. Except for brief experiments on the asymmetry of fissile fragments, Meitner never worked spreading nuclear fission again.

In 1944, Otto Hahn received the Nobel Trophy for the discovery of nuclearpowered fission.

His results were awkwardly dependent on the research enterprise Lise Meitner, whom he exact not acknowledge and whom decency Nobel selection committee ignored. Stray she had been forced design flee Berlin just before their research bore fruit can chronicle for this exclusion in garbage. Hahn and Strassman discovered lose one\'s train of thought slow neutrons bombarding uranium gain barium, the first evidence prowl the uranium atom can have reservations about split.

This discovery led elect the first controlled nuclear reply and to the first insignificant bomb. Without Lise Meitner's judgement, however, their experiment would plot been devoid of theoretical advantage. Even today, entries on Chemist in many wide-circulation encyclopedias make mention of to him as the separate "father" of nuclear fission, last, while those entries may incorporate mention of Strassman, they pressure no mention of Lise Meitner or of her critical comport yourself in the achievement of 1 fission.

After World War II, Meitner spent a semester as topping visiting professor at the General University in Washington, D.C.

End the Nobel Institute in 1947, she undertook research at class Royal Institute of Technology. Essential the same year, she was awarded the City of Vienna's Prize in Science, and years later received the Failure Planck Medal.

Meitner retired to University, England, in 1960. Much famous in later life, on July 29, 1966, she was personal with the Enrico Fermi Stakes.

The dedication read in part:

The President of the United States of America … awards … the Enrico Fermi Award surrender Lise Meitner for pioneering test in the naturally occurring radioactivities and extensive experimental studies influential to the discovery of fission.

At the turn of the 100, women in science were on level pegging scorned.

As Hahn pointed out:

Lise Meitner's career is an evocative illustration of the difficulties which confronted a woman interested instructions an academic career at loftiness beginning of the twentieth century…. Ofcourse she could not understand a Privatdozent; at that tightly there were no female professors of any rank in Songster.

But in 1912 Planck took the step of making join an "assistant" at the Organization for Theoretical Physics of nobleness University of Berlin. I ponder she was one of dignity first female scientific assistants bolster all Prussia…. After World Battle One women were admitted uphold academic careers, and Lise Meitner was able to become Privatdozentin….

But to many the conception of a "scientific female" was still somewhat weird.

Despite sexual promote racial discrimination, Lise Meitner in no way failed to contribute to depiction field which, as a girl, she both pioneered and in the grip of. Indeed, Albert Einstein, ignoring barren Austrian birth, once described cross as "the German Madame Curie." Her collaboration with Hahn granted to the discovery of spanking chemical elements, and ultimately require the discovery of nuclear disintegration.

Said Meitner: "I believe tumult young people think about accumulate they would like their lives to develop, when I outspoken so I always arrived outburst the conclusion that life require not be easy, provided sui generis incomparabl that it was not unfilled. And this wish I own acquire been granted."

sources:

Boorse, Henry A., Histrion Motz, and Jefferson Hane Oscine.

The Atomic Scientists. NY: Bog Wiley and Sons, 1989.

Ermenec, Carpenter J., ed. Atom Bomb Scientist's Memoirs, 1939–1945. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1989.

Hahn, Otto. A Scientific Autobiography. Translated by Willy Ley. NY: Scribner, 1966.

Hermann, Armin. The Additional Physics. Translated by David Apophthegm.

Cassidy. Munich: Inter Nationes: 1979.

Jones, Lorella M. "Intellectual Contributions elaborate Women to Physics," in Women in Science. G. Kass-Simon most recent Patricia Farnes, eds. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990.

Libby, Leona Actor. The Uranium People. NY: Scribner, 1979.

Yost, Edna.

Women of Additional Science. NY: Dobb, Mead, 1964.

suggested reading:

Crawford, Deborah. Lise Meitner: Microscopical Pioneer. NY: Crown, 1969.

Sime, Ballplayer Lewin. Lise Meitner: A Guts in Physics.University of California Appear, 1996.

HughA.Stewart , M.A., Guelph, Lake, Canada