Lise Meitner

An illustrated science story from Wonder Science — free to read, with narration.

Lise Meitner — an illustrated science story, set in Global. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Science.

Lise Meitner — book cover — Wonder Science
Lise Meitner — an illustrated science story, set in Global. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Science.

Page 1

The year is 1938. In a laboratory in Stockholm, a team of scientists stares at a cloud chamber, where trails of subatomic particles dance.
The year is 1938. In a laboratory in Stockholm, a team of scientists stares at a cloud chamber, where trails of subatomic particles dance. These trails hinted at a revolutionary discovery: nuclear fission. Lise Meitner, a brilliant physicist, was instrumental in understanding this phenomenon, even though history would try to erase her contribution.

The year is 1938. In a laboratory in Stockholm, a team of scientists stares at a cloud chamber, where trails of subatomic particles dance. These trails hinted at a revolutionary discovery: nuclear fission. Lise Meitner, a brilliant physicist, was instrumental in understanding this phenomenon, even though history would try to erase her contribution.

Page 2

Wren scribbles in her notebook. "What exactly is nuclear fission?" she asks her father. "It's the splitting of an atom's nucleus into two smaller nuclei," her…
Wren scribbles in her notebook. "What exactly is nuclear fission?" she asks her father. "It's the splitting of an atom's nucleus into two smaller nuclei," her father replies. "Think of it like splitting a log with an axe, but on an atomic scale!" He gestures to a diagram in a textbook.

Wren scribbles in her notebook. "What exactly is nuclear fission?" she asks her father. "It's the splitting of an atom's nucleus into two smaller nuclei," her father replies. "Think of it like splitting a log with an axe, but on an atomic scale!" He gestures to a diagram in a textbook.

Page 3

"But where does all that energy come from?" Wren persists, pointing to the textbook. "That's where Einstein's famous equation comes in," her father replies.
"But where does all that energy come from?" Wren persists, pointing to the textbook. "That's where Einstein's famous equation comes in," her father replies. "E mc2, energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. A tiny bit of mass is converted into a HUGE amount of energy!"

"But where does all that energy come from?" Wren persists, pointing to the textbook. "That's where Einstein's famous equation comes in," her father replies. "E mc2, energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. A tiny bit of mass is converted into a HUGE amount of energy!"

Page 4

Wren's mother enters, holding a newspaper. "Did you know Lise Meitner was crucial to the discovery of fission, but wasn't given the Nobel Prize?" she asks.
Wren's mother enters, holding a newspaper. "Did you know Lise Meitner was crucial to the discovery of fission, but wasn't given the Nobel Prize?" she asks. "As Marie Curie said, 'One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.' Even when unjustly overlooked, scientists push forward."

Wren's mother enters, holding a newspaper. "Did you know Lise Meitner was crucial to the discovery of fission, but wasn't given the Nobel Prize?" she asks. "As Marie Curie said, 'One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.' Even when unjustly overlooked, scientists push forward."

Page 5

But how did Lise Meitner contribute? Before nuclear fission was fully understood, scientists bombarded uranium with neutrons.
But how did Lise Meitner contribute? Before nuclear fission was fully understood, scientists bombarded uranium with neutrons. Meitner, along with Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, worked to understand the results of this bombardment. Meitner, a Jewish woman, was forced to flee Nazi Germany in 1938, continuing her work in Sweden.

But how did Lise Meitner contribute? Before nuclear fission was fully understood, scientists bombarded uranium with neutrons. Meitner, along with Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, worked to understand the results of this bombardment. Meitner, a Jewish woman, was forced to flee Nazi Germany in 1938, continuing her work in Sweden.

Page 6

Even separated by distance, Meitner continued to collaborate with Hahn. After Hahn and Strassmann observed barium after bombarding uranium, it was Meitner and…
Even separated by distance, Meitner continued to collaborate with Hahn. After Hahn and Strassmann observed barium after bombarding uranium, it was Meitner and her nephew, Otto Frisch, who correctly interpreted the results as nuclear fission. Meitner calculated the energy released in the process, providing theoretical backing for the experimental observations.

Even separated by distance, Meitner continued to collaborate with Hahn. After Hahn and Strassmann observed barium after bombarding uranium, it was Meitner and her nephew, Otto Frisch, who correctly interpreted the results as nuclear fission. Meitner calculated the energy released in the process, providing theoretical backing for the experimental observations.

Page 7

Nuclear fission has enormous consequences. It's the principle behind nuclear power plants, providing a source of energy.
Nuclear fission has enormous consequences. It's the principle behind nuclear power plants, providing a source of energy. Unfortunately, it also powers nuclear weapons. Meitner, a pacifist, was horrified by the potential misuse of her discovery.

Nuclear fission has enormous consequences. It's the principle behind nuclear power plants, providing a source of energy. Unfortunately, it also powers nuclear weapons. Meitner, a pacifist, was horrified by the potential misuse of her discovery.

Page 8

The discovery of nuclear fission led to the Manhattan Project during World War II. Scientists raced to develop the atomic bomb.
The discovery of nuclear fission led to the Manhattan Project during World War II. Scientists raced to develop the atomic bomb. Meitner was invited to join the project but refused, stating, "I will have nothing to do with a bomb!".

The discovery of nuclear fission led to the Manhattan Project during World War II. Scientists raced to develop the atomic bomb. Meitner was invited to join the project but refused, stating, "I will have nothing to do with a bomb!".

Page 9

Despite her crucial role, Otto Hahn alone received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for the discovery of nuclear fission.
Despite her crucial role, Otto Hahn alone received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for the discovery of nuclear fission. Meitner's contribution was largely ignored. However, many scientists protested this injustice, and her role has since been recognized. Lise Meitner's legacy continues to inspire women in science.

Despite her crucial role, Otto Hahn alone received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for the discovery of nuclear fission. Meitner's contribution was largely ignored. However, many scientists protested this injustice, and her role has since been recognized. Lise Meitner's legacy continues to inspire women in science.

Page 10

Today, nuclear power plants around the world provide energy thanks to the principles Lise Meitner helped to uncover. Her story reminds us that progress relies…
Today, nuclear power plants around the world provide energy thanks to the principles Lise Meitner helped to uncover. Her story reminds us that progress relies on collaboration, and that recognition isn't always fair. But as Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Meitner's work allows us to see further into the universe.

Today, nuclear power plants around the world provide energy thanks to the principles Lise Meitner helped to uncover. Her story reminds us that progress relies on collaboration, and that recognition isn't always fair. But as Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Meitner's work allows us to see further into the universe.

About this story

  • Location: Global
  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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