Question

What observation led Marie Curie to discover radium and polonium?

a) The observation of radioactive decay
b) The observation of glowing minerals
c) The observation of strong radiation in pitchblende
d) The observation of X-ray emission

Answer 1

Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium through her observation of strong radiation in pitchblende.

Step-by-step explanation:

Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium through her observation of strong radiation in pitchblende. She found that one particular uranium ore, pitchblende, was substantially more radioactive than most, which suggested it contained highly radioactive impurities. After months of work, the Curies isolated two new radioactive elements from pitchblende: polonium and radium.