The Discovery of Radium

The discovery of radium occurred in 1898 by Marie and Pierre Curie while they were studying pitchblende, a radioactive mineral. They observed that a small amount of this mineral emitted an extraordinary glow and unusual radioactivity. Through careful processing and analysis, they isolated radium, a new element with powerful radioactive properties. Radium's discovery helped scientists understand radioactivity, opening new frontiers in physics and medicine. It also marked a milestone in the study of radioactive elements, leading to further research into nuclear science and the potential uses and hazards of radioactive materials.