Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: The Curies
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The Nobel Prizes have honoured many outstanding scientists, but very few married couples have jointly received a Nobel for their collaborative work. One of the most iconic scientific couples in history is associated with groundbreaking research on radioactivity. General knowledge examinations frequently ask about this pair because their story combines scientific achievement, personal partnership, and a strong historical legacy. Knowing which couple this is helps students connect names with famous discoveries in Physics and Chemistry.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Marie and Pierre Curie are widely known for their pioneering work on radioactivity and for discovering elements such as polonium and radium. They were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 along with Henri Becquerel. This makes The Curies the most famous married couple associated with a shared Nobel Prize. The other surnames in the options belong either to individual scientists or to names that are not commonly referenced as Nobel prize winning husband and wife teams. Therefore, by recalling this iconic scientific partnership, we can choose the correct answer easily.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which married couple is most famously connected to a shared Nobel Prize for work on radioactivity.
Step 2: Identify Marie Curie and Pierre Curie as that couple, widely known as The Curies.
Step 3: Note that they received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 for their joint research.
Step 4: Compare this information with the options and see that The Curies is the only option matching this description.
Step 5: Select The Curies as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Verification is straightforward using any standard physics history book, encyclopedia, or the Nobel Prize website. These sources explain that Marie and Pierre Curie shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903. They are frequently cited as the classic example of a husband and wife scientific team being honoured together. Although other couples have also been Nobel laureates, this pair is the one most commonly highlighted in exam oriented materials when a question refers to the best known Nobel prize winning couple.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Millikans: Robert Millikan is known for his oil drop experiment and a Nobel Prize in Physics, but the exam literature does not typically highlight a Nobel winning couple by this name.
The Rutherfords: Ernest Rutherford is a famous nuclear physicist and Nobel laureate, yet he is not commonly paired with a spouse as a joint Nobel winning couple.
The Davies: This surname does not refer to a well known Nobel prize winning husband and wife team in standard general knowledge references, so it functions as a distractor.
Common Pitfalls:
Some students might overthink the question and wonder whether there are other Nobel couples and whether the statement only couple is still literally true today. While there are other examples of spouses both being Nobel laureates, exam questions in general knowledge typically focus on the most famous and earliest couple, Marie and Pierre Curie. The safe strategy is to associate the phrase Nobel prize winning couple with The Curies unless the question specifies a different context or category.
Final Answer:
The most famous married couple jointly honoured with a Nobel Prize for their scientific work are The Curies, Marie Curie and Pierre Curie.
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