Lise Meitner

Lise Meitner

Lise Meitner(November 7, 1878,Vienna– October 27, 1968,Cambridge) was an Austrian-Swedishphysicist.She had a very large role in discoveringnuclear fission.She received her doctorate in physics from theUniversity of Viennain 1906.Her work with two other scientists influenced the discovery and creation of theatomic bomb.

Meitner was ofJewishdescent and converted toLutheranism.

Starting in 1907, Meitner worked with a man namedOtto Hahn.She worked with Hahn throughout her entire career. Working together, they completed a lot of work in chemistry. Hahn won theNobel Prize in Chemistry,even though his work had been with her. The reason that she did not win the prize was that she was a woman. She did attend the ceremony though.

In 1914, Meitner volunteered as anX-raytechnician in the Austrian army duringWorld War I.Meitner was also the first female professor in Germany. She became a German professor in 1917. Throughout the 1920s, Meitner worked mostly onradiation.She won many prizes and awards. Around 1935, Meitner and Hahn worked together to learn more abouturanium.The elementMeitneriumis named after her. Later in Meitner’s life, she had many discoveries that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. She worked to make possible the atomic bomb that was dropped onHiroshimabut she did not agree the atomic bomb.

Experiences sexism

Anencyclopediaeditor asked Meitner to write an article aboutradioactivity.He had read a paper she wrote about the physical aspects of radioactivity.The letter that she got was addressed to “Herr Meitner” (Mr. Meitner). She explained that she was female and the offer was taken away. Meitner followedgender roleslater in her career. British physicistErnest RutherfordvisitedBerlinLaboratory. During this visit, Meitner spent the day shopping with Rutherford's wife. Meanwhile, the men talked about work. Meitner also had lots of accomplishments. After working with Hahn and investigating behavior of beta rays, she received an appointment in the radioactivity apartment and invited Meitner to join him. Soon after,Max Planckasked Meitner to be an assistant professor and lecture at the institute fortheoretical physics.Meitner was the first woman in Germany to be in her position. Many news reporters were drawn to her opening lecture.

Related pages

• Meitnerium