Otto Hahn (Scientist)

Otto Hahn was a German physicist and chemist, known for his pioneering work in nuclear chemistry. Born in 1879, he is best remembered for discovering nuclear fission in 1938, a process where an atomic nucleus splits into smaller parts, releasing a significant amount of energy. This discovery laid the foundation for the development of nuclear energy and atomic bombs. Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for his work. Despite his contributions to science, he had complex feelings about the use of atomic energy in warfare, advocating for peaceful uses of nuclear technology after World War II.