Otto Hahn: Pioneer of Nuclear Chemistry and Discoverer of Nuclear Fission

Otto Hahn, born on March 8, 1879, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, was a pioneering chemist whose work significantly advanced the field of nuclear chemistry. His early academic prowess was evident as he completed a doctorate from the University of Marburg in 1901, where he gained a solid foundation in organic chemistry. Hahn’s career took a pivotal turn when he broadened his horizons by working with prominent scientists abroad. In London, he collaborated with Sir William Ramsay, a Nobel laureate known for his discovery of noble gases. This experience allowed Hahn to delve into the study of radioactivity, a field still in its infancy. Later, in Montreal, Hahn worked with Ernest Rutherford, a key figure in nuclear physics, where he identified several new radioactive isotopes. These early contributions laid the groundwork for his future breakthroughs in nuclear chemistry.

In 1906, Hahn returned to Germany and joined the University of Berlin, where he began a long-term collaboration with Austrian physicist Lise Meitner. Their partnership was particularly productive, with Hahn focusing on chemistry and Meitner on physics, enabling them to complement each other's expertise. Together, they made groundbreaking discoveries, including the identification of the longest-lived isotope of protactinium in 1918, a finding that was critical in advancing the understanding of radioactive decay chains.

Hahn’s most notable achievement came in 1938 when he, along with Meitner and Fritz Strassmann, discovered nuclear fission. While Meitner provided the theoretical explanation, it was Hahn’s chemical experiments that demonstrated the splitting of uranium atoms into lighter elements, a discovery that had enormous implications for both energy generation and weaponry. This work laid the foundation for the development of nuclear reactors and atomic bombs, and in 1944, Hahn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his role in the discovery, although Meitner’s contributions were notably overlooked by the Nobel Committee.

Throughout his career, Hahn received numerous accolades, including the Enrico Fermi Award in 1966, which he shared with Meitner and Strassmann. His lifelong dedication to science continued until his death on July 28, 1968, in Göttingen, Germany. Otto Hahn’s legacy endures as a testament to his profound impact on both science and humanity.
Otto Hahn: Pioneer of Nuclear Chemistry and Discoverer of Nuclear Fission