Lonsdale, Kathleen Yardley

Kathleen Yardley Lonsdale (1903-1971) used X-ray crystallography to prove that benzene is a flat molecule. All six carbon atoms lie in one plane, forming a regular hexagonal shape. The bonds are all exactly the same length. 

Between 1929 and 1934, she had three children. This was a difficult time for the family, as Kathleen Yardley had no formal position and, to make matters worse, in 1930 Thomas Lonsdale s job was terminated. The family returned to London, where Thomas Lonsdale obtained an appointment working at the Testing Station of the Ministry of Transport. 

Contributions of 20th Cenmry Women to Physics. Kathleen Yardley Lonsdale. Available from . 

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