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Table of Contents
Enrico Fermi developed the prototype of a nuclear reactor. He was an Italian physicist famous for his contributions to theoretical and experimental physics. He also contributed to the development of quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical mathematics.
See the fact file below for more information on the Enrico Fermi or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Enrico Fermi worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
FERMI’S EARLY LIFE
- Enrico Fermi was born on September 29, 1901, in Rome, Italy.
- His father Alberto Fermi was a Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Communications, while his mother, Ida de Gattis, was a school teacher.
- Fermi received his early education at a local grammar school.
- He had no interest in physics until his brother died from minor surgery. He was devastated by what happened.
- Adolfo Amidei, one of his father’s friends, gave him physics books from 1840 and he read them thoroughly. He fixed some of the mathematical errors as he read.
- He claimed that, while reading the books, he did not realize that they were written in Latin.
FERMI’S EDUCATION
- Enrico Fermi’s passion for physics and mathematics developed when he reached 17 years of age.
- He formulated scientific ideas and concepts that were so advanced, heading him directly to graduate school.
- After studying for four years at the University of Pisa, he was awarded his Ph.D. in 1922.
EXPERIMENTING WITH ATOMS
- For several years after, Enrico Fermi worked with Max Born and Paul Ehrenfest, some of the great physicists in Europe. He also worked as a professor at the University of Florence and then at the University of Rome.
- During his time at the University of Rome, Fermi conducted several experiments that progressed atomic science.
- In 1932, after James Chadwick discovered the third part of atoms, neutrons, scientists and physicists worked diligently to learn more about the parts and interior of the atoms. (The interior of atoms contains protons, neutrons, and electrons).
- Other scientists had already used helium nuclei as projectiles to disrupt an atom’s nucleus before Fermi began his experiments.
- However, they did not successfully use the helium nuclei on heavier elements because it is positively charged.
- Fermi, on the other hand, came up with the idea to use neutrons as projectiles to disrupt an atom’s nucleus in 1934.
- Neutrons have no charge. Fermi used the neutron like an arrow and shot it into the atom’s nucleus. During the process, many of these nuclei absorbed the extra neutron. It creates isotopes for every element.
SLOWING DOWN THE NEUTRON
- After Fermi discovered that neutrons could be used, he made another interesting discovery.
- He found that slowing down the neutron had a larger impact on the nucleus. The slow-moving neutrons were particularly useful in producing radioactive atoms. He found out that the speed at which the neutron was most affected differed for every element.
- Fermi’s discovery about the atoms led to his discovery of nuclear fission and the creation of elements beyond uranium.
- Fermi was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1938 for his two discoveries about atoms.
- Around this time, antisemitism (prejudice against Jews) was strengthening in Italy, although Fermi was not Jewish, his wife was.
- After Fermi accepted the Nobel Prize in Stockholm, he and his family immediately emigrated to the United States. In 1939, he arrived in the US, and he began working at Columbia University in New York as a professor in Physics.
NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTIONS
- Enrico Fermi continued his research and work at Columbia University.
- Although Fermi had unknowingly split a nucleus during his experiments earlier, he did not get the credit for splitting an atom, or nuclear fission. The credit was given to Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann in 1939.
- However, Fermi immediately realized that if you split an atom’s nucleus, the atom’s neutrons could be used as projectiles to split another atom’s nuclei, causing a nuclear chain of reactions. Each time a nucleus is split, a massive amount of energy is released.
- Fermi’s discovery of the nuclear chain reaction and how to control it led to the construction of atomic bombs and nuclear power.
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
- During World War II, Enrico Fermi worked diligently and focused on the Manhattan Project. The project was started to create an atomic bomb for the war.
- However, after World War II, he believed that the casualties from the atomic bombs were too large.
- Fermi worked as a professor at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Nuclear Studies in 1946.
- During his time at the university, he focused on studying high-energy physics. This resulted in the origin of cosmic rays and theories on the energies in cosmic ray particles.
- Three years after, Fermi argued against the development of a hydrogen bomb. However, even with many objections, the hydrogen bomb was still built.
- In 1954, he was diagnosed with incurable stomach cancer. Fermi spent most of his remaining months in Chicago while receiving different medical procedures.
- On November 28, 1954, Fermi died in his sleep at his home in Chicago, Illinois.
Enrico Fermi Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Enrico Fermi across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Enrico Fermi worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Enrico Fermi who developed the prototype of a nuclear reactor. He was an Italian physicist famous for his contributions to theoretical and experimental physics. He also contributed to the development of quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical mathematics.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Enrico Fermi Facts
- Fermi’s Profile
- Fermi Questioning
- Missing Words
- The Architect’s Quote
- Crossword of the Physicist
- The Movie of the Bomb
- Atomic Debate
- Timeline of the Architect
- The Manhattan Analysis
- Fermi: Fact or Bluff?
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