Madame Marie Curie: Science Pioneer

The video introduces Marie Curie, a pioneering scientist born in Warsaw, Poland. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, awarded for her work on radioactivity alongside her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel. The video explains radioactivity as the emission of energy from unstable atoms, contrasting it with stable atoms. Curie's major achievements include discovering polonium and isolating radium, for which she won a second Nobel Prize. Her decision not to patent her process facilitated further research. The video also highlights her personal challenges and legacy, including the modern applications of radioactivity in smoke detectors, food irradiation, and medical treatments. Curie's work paved the way for numerous scientific advancements, though she was unaware of the dangers of radiation, which ultimately led to her death.

Discuss the impact of Marie Curie's decision not to patent her process for isolating radium.

What were some of the applications of radioactive isotopes mentioned in the text?