This is a story of an accidental discovery in science that has changed the world in the last 100 years.
A story of luck, foolishness and human endeavor that eventually led to the Nuclear bomb.
The story of Radioactivity💥💥
A fascinating Sunday Science History for you 🧵
A story of luck, foolishness and human endeavor that eventually led to the Nuclear bomb.
The story of Radioactivity💥💥
A fascinating Sunday Science History for you 🧵
The year was 1896. X-rays had been recently discovered. Light rays which were invisible but can go pass opaque objects like human skin greatly interested all scientists
French scientist Henri Becquerel wanted to research whether flourescent materials were emitting X rays as well
French scientist Henri Becquerel wanted to research whether flourescent materials were emitting X rays as well
His chosen flourescent salt was Uranium!
Uranium was already a popular element which could take in light on exposure and then glow in the dark. People even used it in decorative kitchenware set as a luxury item!
Henri believed this glow was also due to X rays!
Uranium was already a popular element which could take in light on exposure and then glow in the dark. People even used it in decorative kitchenware set as a luxury item!
Henri believed this glow was also due to X rays!
He wrapped light infused Uranium with photographic paper everyday & it reacted showing marks on the paper as expected
One night, he left the salt even without any light in non-flourescent form with the paper. The next day, to his surprise the paper had still shown a reaction
One night, he left the salt even without any light in non-flourescent form with the paper. The next day, to his surprise the paper had still shown a reaction
Uranium was emitting rays on its own continuously. Henri was shocked to find a material giving out energy by itself. A new source of energy was found!
He had discovered Radioactivity!
The work of taking this forward fell to a young graduate student.
Her name was Marie Curie!
He had discovered Radioactivity!
The work of taking this forward fell to a young graduate student.
Her name was Marie Curie!
Marie worked out of a small shed with no lab of her own. But, she was a genius & soon found that the air around Uranium could conduct electricity.
Pierre, her husband, left his own research to join Marie to support her as he knew she was onto something big!
Pierre, her husband, left his own research to join Marie to support her as he knew she was onto something big!
They found 2 more elements which were even more radioactive. She named them Polonium after her country Poland & Radium after the Latin word for rays.
The findings in her 1898 paper shook the scientific community. Some elements could be the new energy sources for the world!! 💥💥
The findings in her 1898 paper shook the scientific community. Some elements could be the new energy sources for the world!! 💥💥
Interestingly, the Royal Swedish Academy announced the Nobel prize in Physics in 1903 for just Henri Becquerel & Pierre Curie
Yes, women were not really respected as scientists then. A few outrages later, Marie's name was added.
She became the first woman to get a Nobel prize
Yes, women were not really respected as scientists then. A few outrages later, Marie's name was added.
She became the first woman to get a Nobel prize
By this time, the world had really taken to Radioactivity. Any new form of energy should be good they thought. People believed it could cancer, arthritis & many more illnesses.
Radium was added to food and water & was advertised widely as 'a miracle cure' for everything.
Radium was added to food and water & was advertised widely as 'a miracle cure' for everything.
And the glow was sought after as well.
Radium coated luminous watches became the rage. Radium spas came all over the west.
Hair treatments. Cosmetics. Impotence treatment. Bone strengthening.
Radium went into all of them. The world didn't know what trap it was falling into.
Radium coated luminous watches became the rage. Radium spas came all over the west.
Hair treatments. Cosmetics. Impotence treatment. Bone strengthening.
Radium went into all of them. The world didn't know what trap it was falling into.
The impact started hitting only in the 1920s.
People started getting weird burns on large usage
Girls who were into cosmetics got Radium Jaws where their jaw bones became brittle and broke
Curie herself damaged her bone marrow leading to her death from massive radium exposure
People started getting weird burns on large usage
Girls who were into cosmetics got Radium Jaws where their jaw bones became brittle and broke
Curie herself damaged her bone marrow leading to her death from massive radium exposure
Curie's research papers from 1898 were considered too dangerous to handle. They were locked in lead boxes and those who wished to see it had to wear protective clothing while entering the lab.
The great new promised energy source from 20 years ago was now a species killer!
The great new promised energy source from 20 years ago was now a species killer!
Post the 1920s common Radium usage was stopped.
But, we all know what Uranium further led to. Nuclear Energy. Atomic bombs. It reset the world order.
It all started with an unassuming French scientist & a graduate student trying to understand why things glowed in the dark.
But, we all know what Uranium further led to. Nuclear Energy. Atomic bombs. It reset the world order.
It all started with an unassuming French scientist & a graduate student trying to understand why things glowed in the dark.
For a few decades, humans believed a killer radiation to be a miracle cure.
Today, we use many innovations of science without knowing their true benefits & dangers. Only time will tell what will be their true impact.
RT if you liked this story & follow for more history tales
Today, we use many innovations of science without knowing their true benefits & dangers. Only time will tell what will be their true impact.
RT if you liked this story & follow for more history tales
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