Who among the following received the Nobel Prize twice in different subjects, becoming one of the few people to be honoured in two distinct scientific fields?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Madam Curie

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The Nobel Prizes are among the highest international honours in science, literature, and peace. Only a very small number of people have received a Nobel Prize more than once, and even fewer have been awarded in two different subjects. This question asks you to identify the scientist who received Nobel Prizes in two distinct scientific fields, a famous fact often tested in general knowledge and science sections.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The focus is on people who have won the Nobel Prize twice.
  • The awards must be in different subjects, not the same subject twice.
  • The options listed are Madam Curie, Frederic Sanger, Pierre Curie, and John Bardeen.
  • You must know which of these received the Nobel Prize in two distinct scientific disciplines.


Concept / Approach:
Marie Curie, often referred to as Madam Curie, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 (along with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) for work on radioactivity and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for the discovery of the elements radium and polonium. Thus, she holds Nobel Prizes in two different subjects. Frederic Sanger received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry twice, both times in the same subject. John Bardeen received the Nobel Prize in Physics twice, again in the same subject. Pierre Curie received one Nobel Prize in Physics. Therefore, Madam Curie is the only person in this list who fulfils the condition of receiving Nobels in different fields.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Carefully note that the question requires the Nobel Prize to be received twice and in different subjects. Step 2: Recall that Madam Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911, making her a double laureate in two separate sciences. Step 3: Remember that Frederic Sanger received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry twice, so he does not satisfy the different subjects condition. Step 4: Recall that John Bardeen received the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. Step 5: Note that Pierre Curie received one Nobel Prize shared in Physics but did not receive a second Nobel. Step 6: From this analysis, identify Madam Curie as the only option that fits the requirement.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you might remember lists of multiple Nobel laureates. The two most well known people with Nobel Prizes in different fields are Marie Curie (Physics and Chemistry) and Linus Pauling (Chemistry and Peace). In this question, only Madam Curie appears in the options, which supports the conclusion. The presence of names like Sanger and Bardeen, who won twice in the same subject, is meant to test whether you carefully read the condition of different subjects.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Frederic Sanger: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry twice, once for work on the structure of proteins, especially insulin, and again for his contribution to DNA sequencing. Both are in Chemistry, so they are not in different subjects.
Pierre Curie: Joint recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 but did not win a second Nobel.


John Bardeen: Received the Nobel Prize in Physics twice, once for the invention of the transistor and once for work on superconductivity, but again both in the same subject.



Common Pitfalls:
Many students quickly remember that Sanger and Bardeen are double Nobel laureates and may ignore the key phrase in different subjects. Another pitfall is to confuse the achievements of Pierre Curie with Marie Curie and assume he also won two Nobels. The key to avoiding such mistakes is to read the question slowly and notice the precise requirement about two separate fields of science.



Final Answer:
The scientist who received Nobel Prizes twice in different subjects is Madam Curie, honoured in both Physics and Chemistry.

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