Marie Curie: Radioactivity and X rays Essay

Marie curie was born Marie Sklodowska on November 7th, 1867. She was born in Warsaw, Poland (Marie Curie Biography hit 1). Curie received her education from local schools only when her knowledge of science from her father. She obtained Licentiateships in Physics and the Mathematical Sciences from Sorbonne University, in genus Paris (Marie Curie Biography par 1). Curie alike received her indemnify of Science degree at Sorbonne as well. Marie Curie married professor capital of South Dakota Curie after meeting him during university. The two wed inside the year that they met. (Marie Curie Biography par 1).Marie Curie, with the help of her husband Pierre Curie, and with past discoveries of Antoine Becquerel, discovered radioactivity, which explained the creation of the x give off. It showtime started off with Antoine Becquerel, a French physicist. Becquerel was familiar with the work of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, which were the photographs that Roentgen had taken (Peters and Slow iczek par 3). These photographs were odd in their kind. One of the photographs that were taken was one of his wifes hands, carry out with her ring. This photo showed the skeletal structure of her hand, and the ring that was placed on pinnacle (Peters and Slowiczek par 4).Roentgens wife placed her hand in the path of x rays, which Roentgen created himself. He created x rays by glad an electron ray energy source onto a cathode tube. (Peters and Slowiczek par 4). These photographs intrigued Becquerel, bring forth him to research the phenomena of unfolding and phosphorescence. In March of 1896, he discovered that florescence and phosphorescence were similar to each other as well as to x rays, save thither is also an important difference. The difference between the one-third was florescence and x rays stopped, when the starting energy force was halted but the phosphorescence continue (Peters and Slowiczek par 5).A similarity between the three was the energy was initially derived from an outside source (Peters and Slowiczek par 5). Becquerel tried to harness the suns energy making it the initial source of energy for the different rays, but that was non possible. Source National Health M exerciseumHe put his clothed photographic plates away in a darkened drawer, along with nearly crystals containing uranium. Much to his Becquerels surprise, the plates were exposed during storage by invisible climbs from the uranium. The emanations did not require the presence of an initiating energy sourcethe crystals emitted rays on their own Although Becquerel did not pursue his discovery of radioactivity, others did and, in so doing, changed the face of both groundbreaking medicine and modern science. (Peters and Slowiczek par 6).Following up on Becquerels research the Curies, Marie and Pierre, begun a life commitment to radioactivity research. Marie Curie verbalize that The subject seemed to us very attractive and all the more so because the question was entirely new and nothing yet had been written upon it. when it came to radioactivity (Peters and Slowickez par 7). The Curies used Becquerels note on how air could be a conductor of electricity because of uranium, as well as utilise sensitive instruments created by Pierre and his brother. On February 17, 1898, an ore of uranium, pitchblende, was tested by the Curies. fourth dimension and time again, the result was that the pitchblende created a current 300 time stronger than pure uranium. The Curies thus came up with the conclusion that an active unknown substance, as well as the uranium, still exists in the pitchblende (Peters and Slowickez par 8).The hypothesized grammatical constituent was named atomic number 84, in honour of Curies native land, Poland they labelled this fixings radio-active, as well as introducing this term. The Curies were able to extort enough polonium and radium, which is another radioactive element, establishing the chemical elements of both. Marie Curie worked alo ngside Pierre, to establish the first quantitative standards by which the rate of radioactive emission of charged particles from elements could be measured and comp ard even after her husband died (Peters and Slowickez par 9). Curie also managed to discover that there was a decrease in the radioactivity, and it could be predicted, since cornerstone be calculated as well as the realization of which beam is atomic property of matter, rather than a separate independent emanation (Peters and Slowickez par 9).The scientific discovery of x rays and radioactivity addressed world(a) issues. The world(a) issue that mainly x rays addressed is health c ar. X rays affected, and still effects health care because of what it was designed to do. This helps doctors determine m any(prenominal) another(prenominal) things, such as broken bones, tooth decay, and anything relating to the bone structure of someone, or animal. radiotherapy helped humans in a couple of ways as well. at that place are a couple of uses for radioactivity today. One of the uses is to create atomic energy, which in the end is used to create electricity. Another use for radioactive materials is shaft of light. Radiation is used to treat raftcer patients in hope of cleanup spot the source of finishcerous cells, and removing the cancer from someones body. The discovery of x rays and radioactivity did indeed help solve a problem and benefited the global community.One problem that radioactivity solved was an energy issue. Radioactivity provided scientists with a new rule of energy that was more environmentally friendly than combusting petroleum. This method is nuclear power plants. atomic power plants harness the energy that is released from a type of uranium or U-235 (EIA Energy Kids Uranium (nuclear). par 5). X rays have benefited mankind in the world of medicine, as well as safety. X rays are now available in hospitals. X rays can outfit for broken bones, fractures, tooth decay, and other bone related issues. X rays are not only used in hospitals. Airports around the world use x rays to check baggage over making sure that there are no dangerous weapons stored in luggage or any illegal drugs etc. (Eaton par 3).Source card-playing CompanyFor every(prenominal) invention or discovery, there are advantages and limitations. The advantages of x rays and radioactivity are numerous. X rays can detect bone vilify, artery damage and planning airports with safety measures. Radioactivity is used to harness the energy of U-235 to create nuclear power for a source of electricity, as well as radiation treatments. The limitations of x rays and radioactivity include raise the risk of cancer infecting the body, prejudicial the cells, causing cell mutations, birth defects, among other things as well (Pros and Cons of X-rays par 2).Scientists pieces have improved some aspects of society. One aspect of society would be politically. X rays are now being used in airports to check baggage for any weaponry or anything that could be made into an explosive. whole of these measures are being taken due to the terrorist bombing of September 11, 2001. security measures measures have tightened up since then, and are becoming stricter ever since, since there are increasing amounts of terrorist threats to hijack planes, or bomb planes (Eaton par 7). Another contribution that is effected is social aspects. X rays and radioactivity affect peoples health in numerous ways. They can either help damage a persons health, or help correct. Radioactivity can cause mutations, birth defects, and many other problem, while an x ray can help correct a broken bone, or decaying tooth by showing the area of damage, so doctors can take proper procedures. full treatment CitedEaton, Kit. Full-Body Scanners at Airports The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Fast Company. FastCompany.com Where Ideas and People Meet Fast Company. Fast Company, 30 Dec. 2009. Web. 17 whitethorn 2010. .EIA Energy Kids Ura nium (nuclear). Energy culture Administration EIA Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government. Energy Information Administration. Web. 16 May 2010. .Marie Curie Biography. Nobelprize.org. Nobel Prize. Web. 14 May 2010. .Peters, Pamela M., and Fran Slowiczek. The Discovery Of Radioactivity The Dawn of the Nuclear Age. Access Excellence the National Health Museum. National Health Museum. Web. 15 May 2010. .Pros and Cons of X-rays. The Brunei Times. 4 Dec. 2007. Web. 17 May 2010. .