The Elements of Marie Curie with Dava Sobel

How did Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s discoveries in radioactivity change our understanding of the natural world? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice sit down with science writer Dava Sobel, author of a new book on Skłodowska-Curie, to explore the enduring impact of her work on radioactivity.

Discover how Skłodowska-Curie’s meticulous research led to the isolation of radium and polonium—elements that unlocked the mysteries of radioactivity and laid the foundation for modern physics and chemistry. Learn how her insights paved the way for radioactive dating, which determined the Earth’s age, and her revolutionary contributions to medical science, including the use of radium to treat cancer and the development of mobile X-ray units during World War I.

We dive into the science behind her two Nobel Prizes—one in physics and one in chemistry—and her perseverance in refining tiny quantities of radioactive material from tons of ore. We also discuss the risks she and her collaborators faced as the dangers of radiation exposure became clear, as well as the scientific advances inspired by her work, including the creation of artificial radioelements for medical applications.

From her early experiments to her lab notes—still radioactive today—Skłodowska-Curie’s story is one of unrelenting curiosity and dedication. Join us for a deep dive into the science that defined her career and the discoveries that continue to shape our understanding of the universe.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Dava Sobel
04:58 - How Radium Lit a Path
12:25 - Marie Curie’s Nobel Prizes
14:23 - Studying Radiation
20:57 - Radiation’s Effect on Health
23:34 - When Physics & Chemistry Meet
29:29 - Curie’s Reputation
35:21 - Her Death From Radiation
39:14 - A Cosmic Perspective

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[StarTalk]

Thank You StarTalkians for bringing attention to something as impactful as her full name, Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie. Her impact on the sciences continues to shine on to this day (radioactivity pun unintended). She was also known simply as Marie Curie, a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity!

We are thrilled to know our audience is passionate about ensuring these details are not overlooked and we thank you!

[szymonokun]

She named Polonium after her homeland, not only because she was Polish, but also as a political statement, as Poland didn't exist on the map at the time, being violently partitioned by its neighbours since 1772 until 1918, when it regained independence.

[piotrkapis]

Thanks for this fantastic episode!

As a Polish person I feel compelled to clarify one thing. You mentioned that Madame Curie couldn't study in Warsaw so she had to move to Paris. Important thing to note here is that during her time Poland didn't exist. Between 1795 and 1918 (with a very short lived exception of Duchy of Warsaw between 1807 and 1815), Poland had been divided between Germany, Russia and Austro-Hungarian empire. Warsaw was under russian occupation and adhered to russian laws.
Many polish people moved to France where they not only had more freedom, but also tried to raise awareness and sometimes get some support for polish independence. When you think about Madame Curie naming one of her discoveries Polonium, consider that she's naming it after a country which doesn't exist anymore. Where people need to speak foreign languages and bow to intruders, who try to eradicate our culture.

Now we have no idea whether she would be able to attend university in Poland if the country was fully independent - Poland had its share of own issues over the years - but there are precedents. In 1584 an italian woman Camilla Greghetta Erculiani published her „Lettere di philosophia naturale” (letters on natural philosophy) in polish city of Kraków and dedicated them to polish queen Anna Jagiellonka who was a patron of sciences (she funded Cracovian Academy for example). Poland at that time was regarded as quite liberal and while women were not allowed to attend university, they were part of scientific discourse.

I would also like to add that Mrs. Sobel's "Glass Universe" book has been translated to Polish and published. I've already added it to my wishlist!

[melaniephillips]

Such a great guest and wonderful enlightening discussion. Also-- I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but according to the movie starring Rosamund Pike, Curie's daughter was working as a nurse in WW1 and she told her mother about all the unnecessary amputations done on the battlefield because they didn't have time to get to a hospital for an Xray. So she created the mobile unit with her daughter's help, and it revolutionized battlefield care.

[Jon-xwom]

They mentioned that she won two Nobel Prizes, but I don't think they mentioned that she is the ONLY person to win Nobel Prizes in two SEPARATE fields.

[dugg]

At work recently someone left a copy of Longitude to share. I had seen the Longitude series so I read the book and now I am hugely impressed with Dava and her writing style. Thanks Dava.

[fokkebaarda]

Neil, Dava, Chuck, this was a very moving episode. Because of the subject, for sure. But also for the sheer humanity of three geeks having so much pleasure while delving so deep and adding the candy of joy and humor. Thanks so much. After the last goodbye I really needed many seconds to collect myself, even with a tear of joy about the richness of this medium bringing people into my attention and into my heart.

[priscillawrites]

Dava - I gave your book to my granddaughter for Christmas 2024 ❤. She’s headed for an undergraduate degree in hard science.

[nxqzjog]

37yo female just discovering my absolute love for philosophy PLUS physics... I can't even tell you how many times I failed chemistry in high school, I didn't even get to physics... But this podcast, especially today's guest is a true delight. I feel seen & heard lol seriously though, like im just talking with other like minded individuals. How fantastic.
Blessings❤

[oscarmosca]

After a disappointing and depressing Inauguration Day... faith in humanity restored after this video. Thank you Neil, Dava, Chuck, and Madame Marie Sklodowska-Curie.

[Anonymous-mfj]

I normally try to skip all the fluff but Dava is a wonderful communicator, gripping way with words. Couldn’t be more enthralled.

[aaronbailey]

As a nuclear medicine technologist, we use millicuries and microcuries to measure the radioactivity levels of our doses. Of course, named after Marie Curie.

[h_kumar]

This is one of my favorite episodes. Thank you Ms. Sobel, Mr. Tyson and Mr. Nice.

[gembolding]

This is one of my favorite episodes of Startalk! I hearing about the history of physics and how it affected people and the world.
Could this be a special series of Startalk please?! Once a month of every quarter an episode like this about somebody who change science and the world and talk in depth about the person behind the science and what motivated these people go become who they became.

[pawewielgus]

One more thing about Maria Skłodowska-Curie is that she did not leave Poland, there were no Poland at the time, it was Russian Partition and this was also the reason why she was such an avid patriot.

[soupbonep]

What a great guest! I could listen to her tell stories about science all day! I want to see her on a long podcast.

[carterrehberg]

I love Marie Sklodowska, as someone who recently found out they're polish, she's one of my heroes. truly committed to the bit that is science and truly committed to helping women gain the right to study and participate in the scientific community. a work ethic to be admired, seriously.

[elephantjesus]

As a lover of all things science, women, and startalk, This episode was a BLAST to watch! I watch every day, this show makes me optimistic about the future of scientists!

[Brantley-il]

I love how there are many guest visitors throughout different videos this shows Neil’s commitment

[markmorgan]

Mr Tyson, I've just recently joined your channel and it's refreshing to see such intellectual conversation among the obvious other choices we have. Im sure you know what I'm taking about ! Nonetheless here in the 21st century we've achieved technical marvels that have advanced mankind immensely, but the collective that would unify us and propel us further is lacking for obvious reasons that most of us would understand. Of course it's carnal knowledge that ignorance and stupidity among humans is prevalent in some and in there lies the problem. However with the contributions of many known and unknown people we've survived the stigma of extinction and or stagnation through their work and achievements. This I believe is the true spirit of humanity and essence of human rights ! What I mean by that is in spite of suppressive dictates from authority figures, and such likes, ordinary people have expressed genius under the most extreme circumstances with little or no support other than their own kind in most cases. The human right to invent, to explore, to believe that there's more to us than just existence. Keep them coming my brother cause not all of us are scientists but many of us are scientific in nature !