# Chien-Shiung Wu

> Chinese-American physicist (1912–1997) (death at 85 years)

**Wikidata**: [Q450317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q450317)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chien-Shiung_Wu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chien-shiung-wu

## Summary
Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese-American physicist (1912–1997) who made groundbreaking contributions to nuclear physics, particularly through her experimental work on parity violation in weak interactions. Her most famous experiment, conducted in 1957, disproved the assumption of parity conservation and earned her the National Medal of Science in 1975. Wu is celebrated for her pioneering research and leadership in physics, despite facing significant gender barriers in her field.

## Biography
- Born: May 31, 1912, in Jiangsu, China
- Nationality: Chinese-American
- Education:
  - Bachelor's degree in physics from Soochow University (1936)
  - Master's degree from University of Wisconsin (1938)
  - Doctorate from University of California, Berkeley (1940)
- Known for: Experimental nuclear physics, particularly the Wu experiment proving parity non-conservation
- Employer(s):
  - Columbia University (1946–1956)
  - University of California, Berkeley (1956–1980)
- Field(s): Nuclear physics, experimental physics

## Contributions
- **Wu Experiment (1957)**: Conducted a series of experiments at Columbia University that demonstrated parity non-conservation in weak interactions, contradicting the then-prevailing assumption of parity symmetry. This work provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions, a major advancement in particle physics.
- **Pioneering Research in Nuclear Physics**: Made significant contributions to the understanding of weak interactions and nuclear forces, influencing the development of the Standard Model of particle physics.
- **Leadership in Physics**: Served as a professor and researcher at Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley, mentoring numerous students and researchers in nuclear physics.
- **Gender Barriers in Science**: Overcame significant challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, contributing to the broader recognition of women's contributions to physics.

## FAQs
**What was Chien-Shiung Wu's most famous experiment?**
Wu's most famous experiment, conducted in 1957, demonstrated parity non-conservation in weak interactions, proving that certain fundamental symmetries in physics do not hold universally. This work provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions and earned her the National Medal of Science in 1975.

**Where did Chien-Shiung Wu work?**
Wu held significant academic positions at Columbia University (1946–1956) and the University of California, Berkeley (1956–1980), where she conducted groundbreaking research in nuclear physics.

**What awards did Chien-Shiung Wu receive?**
Wu received numerous prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Science (1975), the John Price Wetherill Medal (1975), and the Wolf Prize in Physics (1987). She was also inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1995.

**What was Chien-Shiung Wu's educational background?**
Wu earned her bachelor's degree in physics from Soochow University in 1936, followed by a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1938 and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley in 1940.

**How did Chien-Shiung Wu contribute to nuclear physics?**
Wu's experimental work on parity violation in weak interactions provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions, advancing the understanding of nuclear forces and contributing to the development of the Standard Model of particle physics.

## Why They Matter
Chien-Shiung Wu's work revolutionized nuclear physics by disproving the assumption of parity conservation, a fundamental symmetry in physics. Her experiments provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions, which laid the groundwork for the Standard Model of particle physics. Wu's contributions challenged long-held beliefs in the field and opened new avenues for research. Despite facing significant gender barriers, she made lasting contributions to physics and inspired future generations of scientists. Her work continues to influence research in particle physics and weak interactions, making her a pivotal figure in the history of science.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Experimental Work**: Conducted the Wu experiment, which disproved parity conservation and earned her the National Medal of Science.
- **Groundbreaking Research**: Provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions, advancing nuclear physics.
- **Overcoming Gender Barriers**: Made significant contributions to physics despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field.
- **Prestigious Awards**: Received the National Medal of Science (1975), John Price Wetherill Medal (1975), and Wolf Prize in Physics (1987).
- **Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame**: Recognized for her contributions to science and her role in inspiring women in STEM.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: Awarded honorary doctorates by Nanjing University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Chien-Shiung Wu was born on May 31, 1912, in Jiangsu, China. She earned her bachelor's degree in physics from Soochow University in 1936, followed by a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1938. Wu then pursued her doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed her Ph.D. in 1940. Her educational background laid the foundation for her groundbreaking research in nuclear physics.

### Career and Research
Wu began her academic career at Columbia University in 1946, where she conducted her famous experiments on parity violation in weak interactions. Her work, known as the Wu experiment, demonstrated that certain fundamental symmetries in physics do not hold universally. This research provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions, which became a cornerstone of particle physics. Wu later moved to the University of California, Berkeley in 1956, where she continued her influential work in nuclear physics.

### Contributions to Nuclear Physics
Wu's experimental work on parity violation in weak interactions revolutionized nuclear physics. Her experiments disproved the assumption of parity conservation, a fundamental symmetry in physics. This work provided critical evidence for the V-A theory of weak interactions, which laid the groundwork for the Standard Model of particle physics. Wu's contributions challenged long-held beliefs in the field and opened new avenues for research.

### Awards and Recognition
Wu received numerous prestigious awards for her groundbreaking research, including the National Medal of Science in 1975, the John Price Wetherill Medal in 1975, and the Wolf Prize in Physics in 1987. She was also inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1995, recognizing her contributions to science and her role in inspiring women in STEM. Wu's honorary doctorates from Nanjing University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong further acknowledged her significant impact on the field of physics.

### Legacy and Influence
Chien-Shiung Wu's work continues to influence research in particle physics and weak interactions. Her pioneering experiments and contributions to nuclear physics have left a lasting legacy in the scientific community. Despite facing significant gender barriers, Wu made significant contributions to physics and inspired future generations of scientists. Her work challenges long-held beliefs in the field and opens new avenues for research, making her a pivotal figure in the history of science.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. Wu, Chien-Shiung (1912-1997), nuclear physicist
4. [Source](https://www.lanl.gov/museum/news/newsletter/2021/3/madame-wu.php)
5. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/12/13/chien-shiung-wu-biography-physics-grandmother/)
6. [Source](https://www.npr.org/2022/03/09/1085428338/a-physics-legend-part-one-how-chien-shiung-wu-changed-physics-forever)
7. [Source](https://www.npr.org/2022/03/09/1085434443/a-physics-legend-part-two-chien-shiung-wus-granddaughter-reflects)
8. [Source](https://www.npr.org/2022/05/19/1100222236/the-queen-of-nuclear-physics-part-one-chien-shiung-wus-discovery)
9. [Source](https://www.npr.org/2022/05/19/1100227642/the-queen-of-nuclear-physics-part-two-forming-chien-shiung-wus-story)
10. [Source](https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/01/11/chien-shiung-wu-life)
11. [Source](https://daily.jstor.org/chien-shiung-wu-the-first-lady-of-physics/)
12. [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2021/02/11/new-usps-stamp-celebrates-physicist-chien-shiung-wu-the-first-lady-of-physics/?sh=433bb8b07dc5)
13. [Source](http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/wu-chien-shiung.pdf)
14. [Source](https://wams.nyhistory.org/confidence-and-crises/world-war-ii/chien-shiung-wu/)
15. [Source](https://fi.edu/en/awards/laureates/chienshiung-wu)
16. [Source](https://wolffund.org.il/chien-shiung-wu/)
17. [Source](https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/chienshiung-wu/)
18. [Source](https://www.science.org/content/article/postage-stamp-honor-female-physicist-who-many-say-should-have-won-nobel-prize)
19. [Source](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/bonner.cfm)
20. [Source](http://www.nasonline.org/programs/awards/comstock-prize-in-physics.html)
21. [Source](https://www.witi.com/halloffame/)
22. [Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China](http://www.moe.gov.cn/s78/A22/xwb_left/moe_829/tnull_44386.html)
23. [Source](https://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2015/11/27/women-minorities-and-the-manhattan-project/)
24. International Standard Name Identifier
25. CiNii Research
26. Virtual International Authority File
27. [Source](http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/deceased-members/48916.html)
28. [Chien-Shiung Wu, 84, Dies; Top Experimental Physicist. The New York Times. 1997](https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/18/us/chien-shiung-wu-84-dies-top-experimental-physicist.html)
29. Atomic Heritage Foundation Profiles
30. [Source](http://bnrc.berkeley.edu/Famous-Women-in-Physical-Sciences-and-Engineering/chien-shiung-wu.html)
31. [Source](https://books.google.fr/books?id=krCmyE8D8-IC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=Chien-Shiung+Wu&source=bl&ots=fNOaZp6Hu0&sig=ZX1NDy3dTHVJDHLy58RoAe4Ppb8&hl=fr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjRws6CtIzYAhUF1RQKHQg7DiA4ChDoAQhtMA0#v=onepage&q=Chien-Shiung%20Wu&f=false)
32. SNAC
33. FemBio database
34. Croatian Encyclopedia
35. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
36. Find a Grave
37. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
38. BnF authorities
39. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
40. [Source](https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/us/chien-shiung-wu-stamp-scn/index.html)
41. nobelprize.org
42. IdRef