Nobel Prize in Chemistry

According to the BBC, this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Professor Gerhard Ertl of Germany. It was a shock to Ertl because the Nobel Prize for Physics went to another German, Peter Grunberg (who shares the award with French physicist Albert Fert). Ertl is a professor of physical chemistry at the Fritz-Haber Institute at the Max Planck Society in Berlin. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in surface chemistry. Ertl created a process for surface chemistry by showing how various experimental procedures could be used to make a complete picture of a surface reaction, such as that of iron rusting.
    Wow, what an honor it would be to win a Nobel Prize. I don’t think I’ll ever win it, but I do want to research and study some area of physics. I am so fascinated by the way the universe I live in works. I always want to know more. My dream is to one day research something big and important to the world, something that will be very applicable, something that I love. I really enjoy physics, but it is such a broad field, I don’t know what area I want to study yet. I want to contribute something important to society in the field of science or technology. I don’t need to win a Nobel Prize, or even have a number named after me, but I want to make a ground-breaking discovery of some sort. I want to be doing cutting edge research.
    There is no doubt in my mind that the receivers of the Nobel Prizes are fully deserving of them, obviously they have contributed so much to society that is immediately applicable. This is the award for a life’s work that is important to the world. Again, what an honor.
    I think it would be amazing to meet a Nobel Laureate or winner. I would love to talk to one of them, especially in physics, chemistry or physiology/medicine, about what they do, what their research involves, what they enjoy about their work, what they were like when they were my age. These people must be amazing people with amazing minds.