Lucy Mensing
A German physicist who helped bring quantum theory into practice
- Lucy Mensing (1901–1995)
After studying physics and mathematics, she researched the absorption spectra of di-atomic molecules—first with the old quantum theory and later with the new quantum mechanics. She was only the second person to apply the new theory to real molecules, earning the respect of leading colleagues. Despite this promising start, her career was cut short after marriage in the late 1920s, a common fate for women at the time. War and displacement added further challenges. She returned to Germany in the 1950s, where she lived until her death.
Learn more about
The scientist
- Wikipedia
- Eine vergessene Physikerin | #femaleheritage (DE)
- Quantenphysikerinnen – pro-physik.de • Das Physikportal (DE)
The science
- Short introduction to the old quantum theory: arxiv.org
- Introduction to spectral lines: Physics LibreTexts
- Introduction to linear Algebra (by 3Blue1Brown): Youtube
- Introduction to angular momentum in quantum mechanics: notes
- Lucy Mensing’s original work on angular momentum (DE): springer.com
- Explanation of correspondence principle: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The illustration
Drawn by Nuriya Nurgalieva: Website
