She Invented That A digital museum of women in science

Scientist Exhibit

Lise Meitner

Physics

1878 – 1968 Austria, Sweden

Provided the physical explanation of nuclear fission with Otto Frisch

Overview Institutions
Lise Meitner

Overview

About Lise Meitner

Lise Meitner was a physicist whose research was central to the discovery and interpretation of nuclear fission. After fleeing Nazi Germany, she and her nephew Otto Frisch explained how a uranium nucleus could split and release enormous energy. Her interpretation gave a physical framework to experimental results obtained by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann.

Scientific Contribution

Key Discovery

Theoretical explanation of nuclear fission

Physical interpretation explaining how atomic nuclei can split and release large amounts of energy.

Life Timeline

Important Moments

1907

education

Joins Max Planck's lectures in Berlin

After completing her doctorate in Vienna, Meitner moved to Berlin and attended Max Planck's lectures, beginning the next phase of her physics career.

1917

discovery

Identifies the element protactinium with Otto Hahn

Meitner and Otto Hahn identified a long-lived isotope of the element later named protactinium.

1938

career

Flees Nazi Germany for Sweden

Following the annexation of Austria and escalating persecution, Meitner escaped Germany and continued her work in Sweden.

1939

discovery

Explains nuclear fission with Otto Frisch

Meitner and her nephew Otto Frisch provided the physical interpretation of uranium fission and explained the enormous energy release.

Places & Networks

Institutions