# Fritz Strassmann

> German chemist (1902–1980)

**Wikidata**: [Q60859](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60859)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Strassmann)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fritz-strassmann

## Summary
Fritz Strassmann was a German chemist (1902–1980) who co-discovered nuclear fission with Otto Hahn, a breakthrough that revolutionized nuclear science and led to the development of atomic energy. His work at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and later at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry laid the foundation for modern nuclear physics.

## Biography
- Born: February 22, 1902, in Berlin, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Education: Studied chemistry at the University of Berlin and the University of Göttingen
- Known for: Co-discovering nuclear fission with Otto Hahn in 1938
- Employer(s): Kaiser Wilhelm Society, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
- Field(s): Nuclear chemistry, analytical chemistry

## Contributions
- **Discovery of Nuclear Fission (1938)**: Co-authored the landmark paper with Otto Hahn, demonstrating that uranium atoms could be split into smaller nuclei, releasing vast amounts of energy. This discovery was pivotal in the development of nuclear power and weapons.
- **Göttingen Manifesto (1957)**: Signed the manifesto as one of the Göttingen Eighteen, a group of German nuclear researchers who opposed the military use of nuclear energy and advocated for peaceful applications.
- **Analytical Chemistry Research**: Contributed to the field of analytical chemistry, particularly in the study of chemical components and separation techniques.

## FAQs
### What was Fritz Strassmann’s most significant scientific achievement?
Fritz Strassmann’s most significant achievement was co-discovering nuclear fission with Otto Hahn in 1938, which laid the groundwork for nuclear energy and atomic weapons.

### Where did Fritz Strassmann conduct his research?
Strassmann worked at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz during his career.

### What was the Göttingen Manifesto, and why was it significant?
The Göttingen Manifesto was a 1957 document signed by the Göttingen Eighteen, including Strassmann, which condemned the military use of nuclear energy and advocated for its peaceful applications, influencing global nuclear policy.

### What field did Fritz Strassmann primarily work in?
Strassmann primarily worked in nuclear chemistry and analytical chemistry, contributing to the understanding of atomic structure and chemical separation techniques.

## Why They Matter
Fritz Strassmann’s discovery of nuclear fission was a turning point in science, enabling the development of atomic energy and nuclear weapons. His work at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and later at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry advanced nuclear research, influencing generations of scientists. Additionally, his role in the Göttingen Manifesto highlighted the ethical considerations of nuclear technology, shaping international nuclear policy. Without Strassmann’s contributions, the modern understanding of atomic energy and its applications would not exist.

## Notable For
- Co-discovered nuclear fission with Otto Hahn in 1938
- Signed the Göttingen Manifesto (1957) as one of the Göttingen Eighteen
- Conducted research at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
- Contributed to analytical chemistry through studies on chemical separation techniques
- Recognized with the Righteous Among the Nations award for his anti-Nazi resistance efforts

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Fritz Strassmann was born on February 22, 1902, in Berlin, Germany. He studied chemistry at the University of Berlin and later at the University of Göttingen, where he specialized in nuclear chemistry.

### Scientific Contributions
Strassmann’s most notable contribution was co-discovering nuclear fission with Otto Hahn in 1938. Their experiments demonstrated that uranium atoms could be split into smaller nuclei, releasing significant energy. This discovery was published in a landmark paper and became the foundation for nuclear energy and atomic weapons.

### Professional Affiliations
Strassmann worked at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, a leading German scientific institution, and later at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz. He also taught at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, where he continued his research in nuclear and analytical chemistry.

### Göttingen Manifesto and Ethical Advocacy
In 1957, Strassmann signed the Göttingen Manifesto alongside the Göttingen Eighteen, a group of German nuclear researchers who opposed the military use of nuclear energy. The manifesto advocated for peaceful applications of nuclear technology, influencing global nuclear policy.

### Awards and Recognition
Strassmann was honored with the Righteous Among the Nations award for his anti-Nazi resistance efforts. He also received the Enrico Fermi Award for his contributions to nuclear science.

### Legacy
Fritz Strassmann’s work in nuclear chemistry and his advocacy for peaceful nuclear applications have had a lasting impact on science and international relations. His discovery of nuclear fission remains a cornerstone of modern physics, while his role in the Göttingen Manifesto underscores the importance of ethical considerations in scientific research.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Righteous Among the Nations Database
3. [Source](https://archive.org/details/biographicaldict02ogil/page/1246/mode/2up?q=Maria+Caroline+Strassmann-Heckter)
4. [Source](https://science.osti.gov/fermi/Award-Laureates)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. SNAC
8. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
9. Croatian Encyclopedia
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. nobelprize.org
13. [LIBRIS. 2018](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/nl0240t659nbjdx)