Her discovery

Nuclear fission explained

Nuclear fission is one of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century. To understand it properly, we first need to understand the structure of the atom.

An atom consists of a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. In heavy elements like uranium, the nucleus contains a large number of particles and neutrons.

When a neutron strikes the nucleus of a uranium atom, it becomes extremely unstable. The nucleus then breaks into two or more elements and a large amount of energy is released. These newly freed neutrons trigger a chain reaction.

Lise Meitner's discovery

In December 1938, during a walk in the snow in Sweden, Lise Meitner and her nephew Otto Frisch discussed and explained Otto Hahn’s experimental results. They realized that the uranium nucleus had split.

Thanks to Meitner and Frisch, we were able to understand how nuclear fission works. This discovery led to the development of nuclear energy and, unfortunately, atomic weapons.

"I do not regret never having worked on the atomic bomb."

– Lise Meitner