Marie Curie is one of the most famous names in science . Pierre Curie has somewhat been eclipsed by her fame . His name inhabit on , though , in one particular physical property , in laurels of his research into magnet .
The Curies are the close anyone can get to science royalty . Not only were they celebrated as such in their own country and abroad , but they started a scientific dynasty that produced three generation of notable scientists , two of which succeed Nobel Prizes . The dynasty also has a hint of the tragic caption about it . Pierre die at forty - six after being come across by a knight pushcart . Some say it was the impuissance add due to working with the radioactive stuff that was belong to earn him and his wife worldwide acclaim . The chance event happened at the beginning of their scientific renown , and is part of why Pierre is the lesser known of the twosome .
Pierre Curie deserve some consideration , though . He did not just search for radioactive elements . He began doing important research in his former twenties . collaborate with his brother Jacques , the two discovered that crystallization can have piezolectric properties – that they father electric voltage when compressed , and that an electric field can press them . They used the rationale of piezoelectricity to rise sensing element that could detect electric electric current .
He also discovered an interesting belongings of magnetised materials . Get a piece of metallic element and put a magnet next to it , and the alloy will make a beeline for the magnet . stir up the alloy up , and after a sure temperature ( yep — you guessed it — the Curie Point ) , it will lose its magnetic property . The atoms are moving around so much that they ca n’t align , and the object cast aside from the attracter like it ’s made of plastic .
Touchingly , it was Marie Sklodowska – Sklodowska was Marie Curie ’s initiative name – who urged him to write this research up . It earned him his doctorate and an enduring situation in account . The point at which charismatic materials loose their magnetic properties is now called The Curie Point .
Top Image : Steve Jurvetson
[ ViaAIP , Exploratorium ]
HistorymagnetismPhysicsScience
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