The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the year 2011 was awarded for the discovery of quasicrystals. To whom was this Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2011 awarded?

Introduction / Context:
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognises important discoveries and advances in chemical science. In 2011, the prize gained widespread attention because it was awarded for the discovery of quasicrystals, a form of matter that challenged long standing assumptions about crystal structure. Questions about Nobel winners in specific years and fields are common in competitive exams, and distinguishing between laureates in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Economics is an essential skill for accurate answering.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The prize is the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the year 2011.
• The discovery recognised is that of quasicrystals.
• The options list Dan Shechtman and three groups of names associated with other Nobel categories in the same or nearby years.
• We assume standard Nobel records without any trick beyond category and year.

Concept / Approach:
In 2011, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded solely to Dan Shechtman for the discovery of quasicrystals, which exhibit an ordered structure without periodic repetition. The other options refer to Nobel laureates in different categories: Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt, and Adam G. Riess are associated with the Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe; Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann are linked to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; and Christopher A. Sims and Thomas J. Sargent received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. The correct approach is to match quasicrystals and Chemistry 2011 with Dan Shechtman and separate him from the other fields.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the category Chemistry and the year 2011. Step 2: Recall that Dan Shechtman discovered quasicrystals, which exhibit a non periodic yet ordered atomic arrangement. Step 3: Recognise that the Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 as the sole laureate. Step 4: Identify that the group Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt, and Adam G. Riess corresponds to the Physics prize for cosmic expansion. Step 5: Note that Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann are known for discoveries in innate immunity in Medicine, while Christopher A. Sims and Thomas J. Sargent are economists who shared the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Step 6: Conclude that Dan Shechtman is the only correct option for the Chemistry Nobel in 2011.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by consulting the official Nobel Prize website, which lists Dan Shechtman as the 2011 Chemistry laureate and describes his work on quasicrystals. Reputable exam guides and science history summaries also repeat this information. Cross referencing with lists of Nobel laureates in Physics, Medicine, and Economics confirms that the other names in the options belong to different categories and are not associated with the Chemistry prize. This cross confirmation removes any doubt and supports the correct identification.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt and Adam G. Riess: They are Nobel laureates in Physics for their work on the accelerating expansion of the universe, not Chemistry.
Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann: These scientists, along with Ralph M. Steinman, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries in immune system activation, not for quasicrystals.
Christopher A. Sims and Thomas J. Sargent: They are economists who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for research on cause and effect in macroeconomics, unrelated to Chemistry.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to mix up Nobel laureates across different categories when they are asked in sets for the same year. Exam setters deliberately include names from the same year but different subjects to confuse candidates. Another mistake is to focus only on the names without connecting them to the corresponding discovery, such as quasicrystals. To avoid this, students should always pair specific discoveries with the right laureate and category, for example, linking quasicrystals with Dan Shechtman and Chemistry 2011.

Final Answer:
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2011, awarded for the discovery of quasicrystals, was given to Dan Shechtman.