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Scientist Exhibit

Chien-Shiung Wu

Physics

1912 – 1997 United States, China

Experimental demonstration that parity is not conserved in weak interactions

Overview Institutions
Chien-Shiung Wu

Overview

About Chien-Shiung Wu

Chien-Shiung Wu was an experimental physicist renowned for the precision of her laboratory work. Her most famous experiment tested a prediction about parity in weak nuclear interactions and demonstrated that nature does not always behave symmetrically under mirror reflection. She also contributed to nuclear physics during the Manhattan Project and later conducted important research on beta decay.

Scientific Contribution

Key Discovery

Experimental proof of parity violation

Experimental demonstration that parity symmetry is violated in weak nuclear interactions.

Life Timeline

Important Moments

1944

career

Joins Columbia and contributes to the Manhattan Project

Wu joined Columbia University in 1944 and contributed to wartime research connected with the Manhattan Project.

1956

discovery

Performs the experiment that tests parity conservation

Wu designed and carried out the landmark beta-decay experiment that demonstrated parity is not conserved in weak interactions.

1958

career

Becomes a full professor at Columbia

Wu became a full professor at Columbia University and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences the same year.

1973

career

Becomes the first woman to lead the American Physical Society

Wu became the first woman to serve as president of the American Physical Society.

1975

award

Receives the National Medal of Science

Wu received the United States National Medal of Science for her contributions to physics.

1978

award

Receives the first Wolf Prize in Physics

Wu received the inaugural Wolf Prize in Physics.

Places & Networks

Institutions