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Who worked on the Manhattan Project, made many important contributions to nuclear physics, and was nicknamed "The First Lady of Physics"?

A) Marie Curie
B) Lise Meitner
C) Chien-Shiung Wu
D) J. Robert Oppenheimer

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The 'First Lady of Physics' is Chien-Shiung Wu, who was instrumental in verifying Enrico Fermi's theory of beta decay and worked on the Manhattan Project.

Step-by-step explanation:

The individual who worked on the Manhattan Project, made significant contributions to nuclear physics, and was known as "The First Lady of Physics" is Chien-Shiung Wu. She was responsible for the experimentation that verified Enrico Fermi's theory of beta decay and became the foremost expert in that field. Her work was crucial and contributed to a Nobel Prize; however, she did not receive the award herself. Although other notable figures like Marie Curie and J. Robert Oppenheimer were essential to the development of nuclear physics, the nickname "The First Lady of Physics" refers specifically to Chien-Shiung Wu. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is C) Chien-Shiung Wu.

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