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Yu Min facts for kids

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于敏夫婦舊照片 (cropped)
Yu Min and his wife, Sun Yuqing.

Yu Min (born August 16, 1926 – died January 16, 2019) was a very important Chinese scientist. He was a nuclear physicist, which means he studied the tiny parts inside atoms. Yu Min is famous for his big role in developing China's hydrogen bomb, often called the H-bomb. This work was a huge scientific achievement for his country.

Who Was Yu Min?

Yu Min was born in a city called Tianjin, China. This was in August 1926. Even from a young age, he was very smart and loved science. He went to top universities in China to study physics.

A Brilliant Mind

After finishing his studies, Yu Min became a researcher. He joined the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This is a very respected group of top scientists in China. Being an "academician" means you are recognized as one of the best in your field. Yu Min worked on many complex physics problems. His work helped China make big steps in science and technology.

Developing the H-Bomb

Yu Min's most famous work was on the hydrogen bomb. This was a secret and very important project. He led a team of scientists to figure out how to build this powerful device.

What is an H-Bomb?

An H-bomb is a type of nuclear weapon. It uses a process called nuclear fusion to create a huge amount of energy. This is the same process that powers the sun. Scientists like Yu Min worked to understand and control this energy. Their goal was to create a strong defense for their country.

Yu Min's Secret Work

Yu Min and his team worked very hard. They faced many challenges. They had to solve difficult physics equations. They also had to design complex machines. Their work was kept secret for a long time. This was because it was so important for national security. Yu Min's ideas were key to the success of the project.

A National Hero

Because of his amazing contributions, Yu Min became a national hero. He was given a very special award. This award is called the Two Bombs, One Satellite Achievement Medal.

The "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Award

This medal is one of China's highest honors. It is given to scientists who made huge breakthroughs in nuclear weapons and space technology. These projects helped China become a stronger and more independent nation. Yu Min received this medal for his work on the "bomb" part of this important program.

Later Life and Legacy

Yu Min continued to work and inspire others. He passed away in Beijing in January 2019. He was 92 years old. His legacy lives on through his scientific achievements. He is remembered as a brilliant physicist. He helped shape China's scientific future. His work showed how science can be used to protect a nation.

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