Chien-Shiung Wu
Pioneering experimental physicist known for proving parity non-conservation.
Chronology: 1912-05-31 – 1997-02-16
Origins & Early Life
Chien-Shiung Wu (Chinese: 吳健雄; pinyin: Wú Jiànxióng; May 31, 1912 – February 16, 1997) was a Chinese-American particle and experimental physicist who made significant contributions in the fields of nuclear and particle physics. Wu worked on the Manhattan Project, where she helped develop the process for separating uranium into uranium-235 and uranium-238 isotopes by gaseous diffusion. She is best known for conducting the Wu experiment, which proved that parity is not conserved. This discovery resulted in her colleagues Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang winning the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics, while Wu herself was awarded the inaugural Wolf Prize in Physics in 1978.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
Her expertise in experimental physics evoked comparisons to Marie Curie. Her nicknames include the "First Lady of Physics", the "Chinese Marie Curie" and the "Queen of Nuclear Research". == Early life == Chien-Shiung Wu was born in the town of Liuhe, Taicang, in Jiangsu province, China, on May 31, 1912. She was the second of three children of Wu Zhong-Yi (吳仲裔) and Fan Fu-Hua (樊復華). The family custom was that children of this generation had Chien as the first character (generation name) of their forename, followed by the characters...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia