Maria Goeppert Mayer — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What challenge did Maria Goeppert Mayer face early in her career in science?

Choices

  1. She found opportunities for women in science were scarce and often unpaid. ✓
  2. She was not very interested in science.
  3. She had too many job offers.
  4. Her husband did not want her to work.

Answer: She found opportunities for women in science were scarce and often unpaid.

From page 2

Who challenged Maria Goeppert Mayer to investigate the puzzle of the 'magic numbers'?

Choices

  1. Enrico Fermi ✓
  2. Maria Curie
  3. Albert Einstein
  4. Isaac Newton

Answer: Enrico Fermi

From page 3

What critical difference did Maria Goeppert Mayer propose in her nuclear shell model to explain the magic numbers?

Choices

  1. A strong 'spin-orbit coupling' between a nucleon's motion and its spin. ✓
  2. That nucleons did not have any spin.
  3. That electrons were inside the nucleus.
  4. That the nucleus was just a liquid drop.

Answer: A strong 'spin-orbit coupling' between a nucleon's motion and its spin.

From page 5

According to Maria Goeppert Mayer's model, what made nuclei achieve exceptional stability at the 'magic numbers'?

Choices

  1. When the 'sub-shells' created by spin-orbit interaction were completely filled with nucleons. ✓
  2. When all nucleons stopped spinning.
  3. When the nucleus became a liquid drop.
  4. When the nucleons were all pushed to the outside.

Answer: When the 'sub-shells' created by spin-orbit interaction were completely filled with nucleons.

From page 6

What did Maria Goeppert Mayer's model help to explain and predict?

Choices

  1. The existing magic numbers and properties of new, undiscovered isotopes. ✓
  2. Only the color of atomic nuclei.
  3. How many legs an insect has.
  4. The weather on different planets.

Answer: The existing magic numbers and properties of new, undiscovered isotopes.

From page 7

For what discovery did Maria Goeppert Mayer receive the Nobel Prize in Physics?

Choices

  1. Their discoveries concerning nuclear shell structure. ✓
  2. The discovery of a new planet.
  3. Inventing the first computer.
  4. Learning how to make gold from other metals.

Answer: Their discoveries concerning nuclear shell structure.

From page 9

What important message does Maria Goeppert Mayer's story share, besides her scientific work?

Choices

  1. It reminds us about overcoming challenges and paving the way for future women in science. ✓
  2. It teaches us how to travel to the moon.
  3. It explains how to build a tall building.
  4. It shows us how to grow plants in a garden.

Answer: It reminds us about overcoming challenges and paving the way for future women in science.

From page 10