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Marie Curie (1867–1934) was a pioneering physicist and chemist best known for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity, a term she coined. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields.
Early Life
Born: November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland, then part of the Russian Empire. She was the youngest of five children in a family of educators.
Education: Curie moved to Paris in 1891 to study at the University of Paris (Sorbonne), where she earned degrees in physics and mathematics.
Scientific Achievements
Radioactivity Research: Marie Curie's most significant contributions were in the study of radioactivity. She discovered the elements polonium and radium alongside her husband, Pierre Curie.
Nobel Prizes: In 1903, she shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. In 1911, she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of radium and polonium, making her the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the only individual to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
Later Life and Legacy
World War I: During World War I, Curie contributed to the war effort by developing mobile radiography units, which helped to diagnose injuries in soldiers.Health Issues: Throughout her career, Curie was exposed to high levels of radiation, which ultimately led to her declining health. She died on July 4, 1934, from aplastic anemia, a condition linked to radiation exposure. Legacy: Marie Curie's work laid the foundation for advances in nuclear physics and cancer treatment through radiotherapy. Her legacy continues to inspire women in science and the broader scientific community.
