Radioactivity- Influenced by the discoveries of Wilhelm Roentgen, Marie used her husband previous invention, the electrometer, and had discovered that uranium rays had caused the surrounding air to conduct electricity. Because of this, she theorized that radiation came from the atom itself as opposed to a reaction with molecules. Both her and her husband Pierre had decided to further pursue this research. While the school she was teaching at did not support her research, various mining companies and government organizations did. Through her research, she had discovered that both pitchblende and torbernite shared similar qualities to the previously tested uranium. By studying other substances that emitted radiation, she had discovered that thorium was radioactive as well. On December 26th, 1898, the Curies had announced their discovery of another element, to which they named radium, as well as coined the term radioactivity. The following years the Curies had worked on achieving radium that were uncontaminated. They tasked themselves with tedious task of separating radium salt by crystallization. It wasn't until 1902 when they managed to gain 1/10th of radium from a ton of pitchblende. This lead to Marie's achievement of isolating pure radium metal in 1910.
Pierre and Marie published a total of thirty-two journals about their research. Marie became the first woman to join the staff of Ecole Normale Superieure. In 1903 Marie was awarded with her doctorate from the esteemed University of Paris for her works.
In 1910, with Marie's success of isolating radium, she had defined the international standard of radioactive emissions. It would later be named after Marie and Pierre, becoming the unit curie. In 1915, during World War I, Curie worked on producing needles that contained radon. With this, it was possible to sterilize infected tissue.
In 1934, on July 4th, Marie had passed away from aplastic anemia, commonly believed to be caused by her exposure to radiation.
Pierre and Marie published a total of thirty-two journals about their research. Marie became the first woman to join the staff of Ecole Normale Superieure. In 1903 Marie was awarded with her doctorate from the esteemed University of Paris for her works.
In 1910, with Marie's success of isolating radium, she had defined the international standard of radioactive emissions. It would later be named after Marie and Pierre, becoming the unit curie. In 1915, during World War I, Curie worked on producing needles that contained radon. With this, it was possible to sterilize infected tissue.
In 1934, on July 4th, Marie had passed away from aplastic anemia, commonly believed to be caused by her exposure to radiation.