Zhou Guangzhao facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zhou Guangzhao
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|---|---|
| 周光召 | |
| Born | 15 May 1929 |
| Died | 17 August 2024 (aged 95) |
| Alma mater | Tsinghua University Beijing University |
| Occupation | physicist |
| Years active | 1957–2024 |
| Organization | Joint Institute for Nuclear Research Chinese Nuclear Weapons Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences Virginia Polytechnic Institute European Organization for Nuclear Research US National Academy of Sciences |
Zhou Guangzhao (born May 15, 1929, died August 17, 2024) was a brilliant Chinese scientist. He was a theoretical physicist, which means he studied the rules of how the universe works. He also led the Chinese Academy of Sciences for ten years, from 1987 to 1997. This is a very important science organization in China.
Growing Up and School
Zhou Guangzhao was born in Changsha, China, on May 15, 1929. This city is the capital of Hunan province. He was the fifth child in his family. His father, Zhou Fengjiu, was a civil engineer. His older brother, Zhou Guangyu, became a famous biochemist.
Zhou Guangzhao studied at Tsinghua University and finished in 1951. After that, he went to Beijing University for three more years. There, he focused on theoretical physics for his advanced studies. He later became a teacher at Beijing University.
In 1957, Zhou Guangzhao traveled to the USSR (which is now Russia). He worked at the Dubna Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. This was a big step in his science career.
His Science Career
Zhou Guangzhao came back to China in 1960. He started working on important science projects for his country. He eventually became the director of the Chinese Nuclear Weapons Research Institute. This institute worked on advanced nuclear science.
He was chosen to be a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This is a top group of scientists in China. He later became the Vice President of CAS from 1984 to 1987. Then, he served as the President of CAS for ten years, from 1987 to 1997.
Zhou Guangzhao's main work was in a field called particle physics. This area of physics studies the tiny particles that make up everything in the universe.
In 1979, he visited the United States for the first time. In the 1980s, he spent time as a visiting scientist. He worked at the University of California and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the US. He also visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.
Awards and Recognition
A small planet, called an asteroid, was named after him. It is called 3462 Zhouguangzhao.
In 1987, Dr. Zhou was also chosen to be a member of the US National Academy of Sciences. This shows how respected he was by scientists around the world.
See also
In Spanish: Zhou Guangzhao para niños
