Marie Curie

 

MARIE CURIE

                   - Courage of Knowledge

 

CRADLE:

              

             Maria Sklodowska Curie  , Polish Scientist , was born on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw ( Poland ) which was then part of the Russian Empire . She was the fifth and youngest child of well-known science professor , Wladyslaw Sklowski . Her mother , Marianna Bronislowa operated a reputed bording school for girls in the big bustling city . When she was seven years , her eldest sibling died of typhoid and then three years later her mother died due to tuberculosis . At the same time , Wladyslaw was fired from his job due to pro-lish sentiments and the family eventually lost all the savings . In the middle of crisis , Wladyslaw decided to join low - paying teaching job . She was taught to deal with laboratory equipments in the home itself. 

 " Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas " 

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STRIPLING:

  For some years , she was home - schooled . But her father , recognized her talent for scientific thinking and learning and admitted to a prestigious learning centre for girls . Maria graduated with a gold medal in 1883 aged sixteen . Her father then suggested to join the " Secret flying University " a polish patriotic institution - which welcomed women students . During this time , she fell in love with a young man , Kazimierz Zorawski . His parent's opposed with this marriage due to her poverty and he was unable to oppose his parent's discussion . 

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DIDACTICS: 

 Maria returned to Warsaw and she was heartbroken for the loss of relationship . Three years later , in 1890 , he was able to secure a more lucrative position again and arranged for Maria to reach Paris . Maria proceeded her studies of Physics and Chemistry in the University of Paris where she known as Marie . In 1893 , she was awarded a degree in physics at age 26 . In 1894 , she began her research career with an investigation of the magnetic properties of various steels . That same year , French Physicist , pierre Curie entered her life and drew them together. 

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ESPOUSAL :

       Marie wished to marry him but she was still living under the illusion that she would be able to work in Poland . Peirre promised her  that he was ready to move with her . In 1895 , they were  married and for their honeymoon , they took a bicycle tour around the French Countryside . The curies also got going with their research work in a converted shed which was poorly ventilated and not even waterproof . But they were very dedicated scientists and hardly discouraged by such problems . 

                           

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RADIOACTIVITY :

■ Splendid Work : 

   In 1896 , the discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel inspired Marie and Pierre Curie to further investigate this phenomenon . She was intrigued by this new phenomenon (called radioactivity ) and looked into it . They examined many substances and two uranium , pitchblende and Torbernite for signs of Radioactivity . In 1898 , they found that the minerals were more radioactive than Uranium and concluded that it must contain other radioactive substances . From it they managed to extract  two previously unknown elements : polonium and Radium , both more radioactive than Uranium . 

   After 4 years later , In 1902 , they were able to separate 0.1 gram of radium Chloride from a ton of Pitchblende , a Remarkable achievement , for which the duo shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Henri Becquerel . In 1906 , pierre was struck by a horse - drawn vehicle and fell under its wheels , causing his skull to fracture . Marie , by then a mother to 2 beautiful daughter , Irene and Eve was traumatized by her husband's death . In 1910 , she isolated the pure radium metal and also defined a new unit of radioactivity called "Curie" in the memory of her husband. She also documented the properties of the radioactive elements and their compounds . Radioactive Compounds became important as sources of radiation in both scientific experiments and in the field of Medicine , where they are used to treat tumors . 

 '' ....I'll never see what has been done ; I only see what remains to be Done ......'' 

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Work in war:

     

       The first world war was started in 11, August, 1914 . Marie Curie wanted to help her countrymen in war. She understood that electromagnetic radiation from X-ray will help the doctors to identify the bullets in the injured body of the soldiers and also found  that using this X-ray radiation we can able to locate and relocate the broken bones . She made   Irene , her 17 years old daughter to work with her as an assistant . She started to develop a mobile X-ray unit in order to treat the injured soldiers in war. For this , Curie is in need of more automotive vehicles , she asked for  the vehicles from her friends. Then she also needs some electric generator. She bought them from the local shops.

    

       She had no practical experience to operate the X-ray machine  because the Sorbonne University where she studied didn't gave her chance . So , she started to join a course where she learnt the operation and working of machine clearly. She also , learnt to drive car and learnt human anatomy. By October 1914 , she developed the machine. The X-ray machines with vehicles were stockpiled to safeguard the life of soldiers in the battlefield . The war ended in November 11, 1918. Her help in this war helped her country France . She continued her experiment in the new center which is meant mainly for the study of radiology till her death.

  ' I was taught that the way of Progress was neither swift nor Easy ' 

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FLIRTATION & DEATH : 

 In 1911 , she was on the front pages of local fabloids as a "Foreign home-wrecker " after having an affair with French physicist Paul Langevin , a married man who was estranged from his wife . By hearing this affair , she was refused and scolded by the Paris crowd and declared her " A Detestable Idiot " . The Swedish academy of sciences honored second time despite the Langevin Scandal . She was awarded the prize in chemistry for isolating Radium hence becoming the only person to win Nobel Prize in two different Sciences . 

    She visited Poland for the last time in Carly , 1934 before the second world war . She died on 4th July , 1934 in Passy , Rhone - Alpes , France . She died due to Aplastic anaemia , a condition due to long exposure to radiation . She was known to carry test tubes of Radium around in the pocket of her lab coat . Her many years working with radioactive materials took a toll on her health  . 

   

                                         

" Be less curious about people and more curious about Ideas " 

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