The 1930s were a time of tremendous advancements in nuclear science, and it was during this period that Meitner made her most famous contribution. In 1938, Otto Hahn and his assistant Fritz Strassmann discovered that when uranium was bombarded with neutrons, it produced barium—an unexpected result that suggested the uranium atom had split into two smaller atoms. Hahn published these findings, but the theoretical implications were not fully understood at the time.

Lise Meitner, who had fled Nazi Germany in 1938 to escape the growing anti-Semitic regime, was in Sweden at the time. Even though she was no longer working in the same laboratory as Hahn, she continued to follow the research closely. From her new base at the Nobel Institute in Stockholm, she was able to calculate the theoretical model behind the experiment, correctly identifying the process as nuclear fission—the splitting of the atomic nucleus.

Meitner, along with her nephew Otto Frisch, published a groundbreaking paper in early 1939, explaining that the barium produced in Hahn's experiment was the result of uranium undergoing fission. Their calculations demonstrated that when the uranium nucleus split, it released a large amount of energy—energy that could potentially be harnessed in a new and incredibly powerful form of energy. This discovery laid the theoretical foundation for the development of nuclear reactors and the atomic bomb.

While Meitner played an essential role in understanding the process of nuclear fission, her contributions were overshadowed by the work of Otto Hahn, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for the discovery of nuclear fission. Despite her central role in the discovery, Meitner was not included in the Nobel recognition, a fact that has been a source of great regret for many in the scientific community.

Later Life and Work

After the discovery of nuclear fission, Meitner’s scientific career took on new importance as the world entered World War II. As the war intensified, Meitner became increasingly concerned about the potential for the development of nuclear weapons. She was one of the earliest scientists to understand the implications of nuclear fission for creating weapons of mass destruction. She was also personally opposed to the idea of using atomic bombs as a tool of war, which led her to leave her scientific work on fission behind and focus instead on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

In 1946, after the war, Meitner moved to the United States to continue her work. She spent several years teaching and conducting research at various institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley. Despite her age and the challenges of being an expatriate, she continued to contribute to scientific discussions, particularly on the subject of nuclear physics.

Legacy and Recognition

Lise Meitner’s legacy is a subject of ongoing discussion and appreciation. During her lifetime, she received little recognition for her contributions to the discovery of nuclear fission, particularly because her male colleagues, such as Otto Hahn, received more credit. It wasn't until later that the scientific community acknowledged the significance of her work. Meitner has since been honored with numerous awards, including having an element named after her—meitnerium (Mt), element number 109.

Today, Lise Meitner is recognized as one of the most important female physicists of the 20th century. Her story is one of perseverance and brilliance, overcoming the barriers placed before her because of her gender and religious background. Meitner’s contributions to nuclear physics helped shape the course of modern science, and her work continues to influence fields such as nuclear energy, medicine, and physics.

Lise Meitner passed away on October 27, 1968, at the age of 89, but her legacy remains firmly entrenched in the scientific community. Her story stands as a testament to the power of curiosity, determination, and intellectual brilliance, and her contributions to the understanding of the atom will continue to resonate for generations to come. shutdown123