Science is known for its worthwhile discoveries. Be it the Big Bang Theory, the Law of Motion, or simply any other discovery, all of them have one thing in common: complexity. In other words, scientific discoveries are beyond the comprehension of the common man and so, there are think-tanks behind each discovery that have worked extensively on that specific aspect to finally reach a conclusion.
Thus, scientific discovery is by no means similar to some random philosophical thoughts that one has while having a shower, or a mere revelation from god. Instead, it is an outcome of consistent, ruthless work, where the scientist gets it wrong a hundred times prior to proving himself right. Otto Hahn is one of those incredible scientists.
The Incredible Story of Otto Hahn’s Discovery
We are taking you back to the 1920s in Berlin Germany. A young, energetic student of Chemistry notices something unusual – something he finds difficult to comprehend and express. The student sees that one of the atomic nuclei that he was experimenting with behaves differently than the average ones.
Based on his astute observation, it turned out there was a substance in the atomic nucleus that set itself apart from the nucleus’ usual properties. The protons and neutrons in this atomic nucleus were shaped and arranged differently. In turn, they were performing differently and were showing different properties. This was the discovery of the Nuclear Isomer and the scientist behind this discovery was the student of Chemistry, Otto Hahn.
Nuclear Physics Took 15 Years to Understand and Comprehend Hahn’s Discovery of Isomer
Nevertheless, this discovery was unfathomable when Otto Hahn made it in the 1920s. Part of the reason was that it was complex and incomprehensible, however, the major reason was that Hahn – the think-tank behind the discovery – was unable to express it even himself. It took 15 years for nuclear nhysics to understand the discovery of Nuclear Isomer.
By this time, Hahn’s discoveries were praised by all scientists and physicists throughout the world and he was given a Nobel Prize in Physics. To date, researchers and scientists have been consistently working on Isomer and have analyzed it from different angles.
Some of the recent discoveries of Isomer have made it an important substance in medicine and technology. Today, it is also used in medicines to treat chronic diseases and likewise, researchers are also finding ways to use Isomer for energy storage. Nonetheless, the hunt continues. As it progresses, its benefits are expected to be heterogeneous and will contribute to the benefit of human existence.
With all that said, Otto Hahn’s discovery of Isomer – which began with a slight curiosity of a Chemistry student – is still a mysterious discovery today, despite its contributions to the benefit of humanity and human societies across the world.