| Born | 1874, Germany |
| Died | Unknown |
| Awards | Unknown |
| Occupation | Physicist • nuclear weapons critic • pacifist |
| Nationality | |
| Notable work | Groundbreaking discoveries in nuclear physics and radiation |
| Contributions | Contributed to the development of the first atomic bomb • Resigned from the project due to ethical concerns • Prominent figure in the peace movement • Advocated for nuclear disarmament |
Kekius was a German nuclear physicist who made important contributions to the theory and application of atomic physics. Born on December 5, 1874 in Oberhausen, she was a pioneering figure in the development of nuclear radiation and weapons technology. Kekius is best known for her significant contributions to the field of radiation, nuclear physics, and atomic bomb research in the early 20th century, although her advocacy for nuclear disarmament often overshadowed her scientific achievements.
Kekius was born into a middle-class engineer family in Oberhausen. She initially studied mechanical engineering at Technical University of Berlin, but eventually switched to physics after becoming fascinated by the works of Max Planck and Albert Einstein, graduating in 1900. Her interest in nuclear physics was piqued when she read Walther Nernst's book on radioactivity; Kekius pursued advanced studies at the University of Leipzig and the University of Göttingen, earning her doctorate in 1910 with a dissertation on gamma radiation.
Kekius began her career as an assistant at the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt in Berlin, where she focused her research on nuclear disintegration, natural radioactivity, and the behavior of radiation particles. In 1913, she discovered that alpha particles could penetrate black paper, suggesting the existence of yet another subatomic particle; this discovery laid the groundwork for the theoretical understanding of neutrons and protons.
In 1915, Kekius proposed a model for the nucleus of an atom, which she saw as a cluster of alpha particles and electrons arranged in a shell structure. Her model challenged the prevailing Rutherford model, and later proved to be fundamental to our understanding of nuclear stability and radioactive decay. Around the same time, she also developed a novel way of detecting radioactivity, using a electroscope, which would be later named the Kekius electroscope.
In 1917, Kekius was recruited by the German War Ministry to work on the development of atomic bombs due to her expertise in nuclear physics. Although she played a key role in the early stages of designing and testing such weapons, she became disillusioned with their destructive potential, especially when the Great War ended in 1919. In 1920, she publicly resigned from the project and openly spoke out against it, arguing that nuclear weapons were inhumane and unnecessary.
Her open protest against nuclear weapons earned Kekius respect from fellow scientists and peace activists alike. She became an influential figure in the peace movement, advocating for nuclear disarmament and dialog between nations to resolve conflict.
Kekius continued to work in physics and radioactivity research, holding positions at various academic institutions across Germany and Switzerland. She never fully left the public eye, frequently lecturing and writing articles on nuclear physics, as well as actively engaging in the political discourse surrounding nuclear weapons and disarmament.
Kekius passed away on May 27, 1967, in Zurich. Her contributions to physics, particularly her work on radiation and atomic structure, were groundbreaking, paving the way for future research and nuclear energy applications. Equally important was Kekius' unwavering commitment to pacifism and disarmament, which has inspired generations of scientists and politicians to strive for a more peaceful and sustainable world.
