Lise Meitner: Pioneer in Nuclear Physics and Co-discoverer of Nuclear Fission
Early Life and Education:
Lise Meitner was born on November 7, 1878, in Vienna, Austria, into a Jewish family. From an early age, she displayed a keen interest in science and mathematics. Encouraged by her supportive parents, she pursued higher education in physics at the University of Vienna, where she excelled academically.
Despite facing gender-based discrimination in academia, Meitner completed her doctoral studies in 1905 under the supervision of Ludwig Boltzmann. She continued her research at the university, collaborating with renowned physicist Max Planck.
Career and Collaboration with Otto Hahn:
In 1907, Meitner moved to Berlin to work with chemist Otto Hahn at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry. This partnership proved to be crucial for both their careers. Meitner and Hahn conducted pioneering research on radioactive substances, and their collaboration continued for several decades.
During World War I, Meitner worked as a nurse and X-ray technician. After the war, she returned to her scientific pursuits and, in 1918, became the first woman in Germany to assume a full professorship in physics at the University of Berlin.
Nuclear Fission and Career Challenges:
The most significant collaboration between Meitner and Hahn occurred in the 1930s when they began investigating the process of neutron-induced reactions in uranium. In 1938, while Meitner was forced to flee Nazi Germany due to her Jewish heritage, Hahn continued the research.
In correspondence with Hahn, Meitner played a pivotal role in interpreting the experimental results. She provided the theoretical explanation for the phenomenon of nuclear fission, which Hahn had observed. Their work laid the foundation for understanding the release of energy in nuclear reactions.
Later Life and Recognition:
Despite her contributions to the discovery of nuclear fission, Meitner faced challenges in receiving proper recognition. In 1944, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded solely to Otto Hahn for the discovery, while Meitner’s significant role was overlooked.
After World War II, Meitner chose not to return to Germany and accepted an invitation to work in Sweden. She continued her research at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm until her retirement in 1960.
In 1966, the element meitnerium was named in her honor. Although she never received a Nobel Prize, Meitner’s contributions to nuclear physics were acknowledged, and she received various awards later in life.
Legacy:
Lise Meitner’s legacy extends beyond her scientific achievements. Her perseverance in the face of adversity, both as a woman in physics and as a Jewish scientist during a turbulent period in history, serves as an inspiration.
Lise Meitner passed away on October 27, 1968, in Cambridge, England. Her contributions to nuclear physics, particularly the discovery of nuclear fission, remain significant, and she is remembered as a trailblazer in the field.
