Helen Vaughn Michel facts for kids

Helen Vaughn Michel was born in 1932 in the United States. She is a talented American chemist. She is well-known for her important work in fields like analytical chemistry and archaeological science. She also helped develop special methods such as neutron activation analysis and radiocarbon dating.

Her work with Frank Asaro at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was very important. This lab is part of the University of California (Berkeley). Together, they helped figure out the age of Drake's Plate of Brass. They also worked on the Alvarez hypothesis. This idea helps explain what might have caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, which led to the dinosaurs disappearing.

Michel retired from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1990.

Meet Helen Vaughn Michel

Helen Vaughn Michel is an American chemist. She has made big contributions to how we understand the world around us. Her work combines chemistry with history and even geology. She helped scientists learn more about ancient objects and huge events in Earth's past.

What is Analytical Chemistry?

Analytical chemistry is a branch of science. It focuses on finding out what things are made of. Imagine you have a mystery substance. An analytical chemist uses special tools and tests to discover all the elements and compounds inside it. This helps us understand its properties and how it might behave.

Exploring Archaeological Science

Archaeological science uses scientific methods to study ancient human history. Scientists like Helen Michel use chemistry, physics, and other sciences to learn about old artifacts, buildings, and even ancient diets. This helps us piece together what life was like long ago.

Neutron Activation Analysis Explained

One important method Helen Michel used is called neutron activation analysis (NAA). This is a very sensitive way to find out what elements are in a tiny sample. Scientists put a sample into a special machine that shoots tiny particles called neutrons at it. This makes the sample slightly radioactive for a short time. By measuring the radiation that comes off, scientists can tell exactly which elements are present and how much of each. This method is very useful for studying old pottery, coins, or even dust from space.

Radiocarbon Dating: How Old Is It?

Another method Helen Michel worked with is radiocarbon dating. This is a famous technique used to find the age of ancient organic materials. Organic materials come from living things, like wood, bones, or cloth. All living things have a tiny amount of a special type of carbon called carbon-14. When something dies, the carbon-14 slowly decays. By measuring how much carbon-14 is left, scientists can figure out how long ago the organism died. This helps archaeologists and historians date ancient artifacts and events.

Solving Ancient Mysteries: Drake's Plate

One of Helen Michel's famous projects involved Drake's Plate of Brass. This metal plate was supposedly left by the explorer Sir Francis Drake in California in 1579. For many years, people wondered if it was real or a fake. Helen Michel and Frank Asaro used their scientific methods, including neutron activation analysis, to study the plate. Their research helped show that the plate was not from Drake's time. This was a big discovery in the world of history and archaeology!

The Dinosaur Extinction Puzzle: Alvarez Hypothesis

Helen Michel also played a key role in studying the Alvarez hypothesis. This idea suggests that a giant asteroid hit Earth about 66 million years ago. This huge impact caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, which led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species.

How Michel Contributed

Helen Michel and Frank Asaro found high levels of a rare element called iridium in rock layers from that time. Iridium is very common in asteroids but rare on Earth's surface. This discovery was strong evidence supporting the idea that an asteroid impact caused the mass extinction. Their work helped change how scientists think about the end of the dinosaurs.

Her Career and Retirement

Helen Michel spent many years working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She was a dedicated scientist who helped solve many puzzles using her chemistry skills. She retired from her work in 1990, leaving behind a legacy of important discoveries and scientific methods that continue to be used today.