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Madame Curie of the East: Wu Jianxiong
Madame Curie of the East: Wu Jianxiong

She was born in China and made great contributions to physics in the mid-20th century. She led the experimental team and proved the non-conservation of charged weak interaction through Wu's experiment, which made a milestone contribution to particle physics. She devoted herself to promoting the development of women in the field of science for many years in her life. Because of her outstanding contribution, everyone respects her as "Madame Curie of the East". Let's learn about the legendary story of Wu Jianxiong, the "Queen of Physics".

outline

Wu Jianxiong's famous physicist (19 12- 1997) was born in Liuji Town, Jiangsu Province, China. During her career, she devoted herself to studying nuclear physics and experimental physics, and became the first woman in american physical society to win a postgraduate scholarship. She has also made many important contributions to the experiment, the most famous of which is the "Wu Experiment" led by her, which proved the asymmetric spin effect of weak interaction. Therefore, she became the first woman to win the National Science Medal, and was praised as "the mother of nuclear physics in China" and "the mother of modern physics".

life experience

I. Childhood and education

Wu Jianxiong was born in 19 12, Jiangsu province, China. During her primary school in her hometown, she showed outstanding talents in mathematics and science. She likes mathematics, physics and chemistry very much, and this enthusiasm drove her to start her own academic exploration in her childhood.

1929, Wu Jianxiong graduated first in his class and was admitted to National Central University. She got her bachelor's degree here, then went to the United States to study, and received her master's and doctor's degrees at the University of California, Berkeley.

life experience

Second, the pioneer of nuclear physics

During her doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Wu Jianxiong met her husband, physicist Yuan Jiasao, and on the recommendation of Yuan Jiasao, she met Ernest Lawrence, director of the radiation laboratory in Berkeley, and became a member of his laboratory.

During his study in Bekele, Wu Jianxiong made great achievements in the field of nuclear physics, especially played an important role in the study of heavy nuclear decay. She was also one of the only China scientists in the Manhattan Project and contributed to the development of the atomic bomb.

life experience

Third, subversive experiments.

The most famous event in Wu Jianxiong's career is her subversive experiment. In 1950s, she and her colleagues conducted an experiment, which proved that β decay did not satisfy the symmetry of left and right hands. This achievement is called "one of the most influential experiments in the field of weak interaction"

This work not only subverted the generally accepted physical theory at that time, but also opened up a new field for physics. Her experiment is a milestone in the history of physics, which has won her wider recognition and reverence. Wu Jianxiong's beta decay experiment is considered to be one of the most influential experiments in the field of physics. At the same time, it also laid the foundation for Li Zhengdao and Yang Zhenning to discover that parity is not conserved.

life experience

Fourth, perseverance and perseverance.

Although Wu Jianxiong is an outstanding scientist, she still faces gender and racial discrimination. When she was a graduate student, she was refused several research assistant positions because the professors at that time didn't think Asian women were qualified for physics research. Early in her career, she was often excluded from the core group of male colleagues. She is also considered unsuitable for some senior positions, just because she is a woman and a native of China.

However, Wu Jianxiong resolutely pursued his goals, faced these challenges without fear, and finally achieved outstanding achievements. Her contribution not only promoted the development of physics, but also made important contributions to the progress of other women and ethnic minorities in the field of science.

life experience

Verb (abbreviation for verb) old age

Wu Jianxiong is a scientist who is keen on civic affairs. In her later years, she actively participated in social activities and supported civil rights and anti-war movements. She also participated in an activity called "Conscience Voting" to encourage scientists and other professionals to vote to express their political beliefs.

Wu Jianxiong emphasized that scientists should play an active role in social and political affairs, not only to promote scientific development, but also to safeguard social justice and fairness. Wu Jianxiong retired in 198 1 and died of a stroke in 1997 at the age of 84.