Comprehension Passage:
In the world of science, few names stir as much recognition and admiration as Marie Curie. Curie's life was marked by intense dedication and her constant pursuit of knowledge in a landscape that often denied women the opportunity to study science. During her schooling at the University of Paris, she encountered bouts of adversity, including meager funding for her research and widespread skepticism of her abilities due to her gender.
Marie Curie's research in radioactivity, a term she coined, dissolved the narrow viewpoint of an atom as indivisible. She discovered that radioactivity arises from within an atom, a landmark concept. Based on this, she discovered polonium and radium and observed their capabilities to emit large quantities of radiation, altering their atomic structure over time.
The scientific community marvelled at her persistence and courage, especially as her health started detoriating due to prolonged exposure to radiation before the risks were fully known. Curie and her husband, Pierre, maintained their undeterred commitment, using their own resources to fund their work, refusing lucrative patents on their discoveries to keep the knowledge accessible.
Curie's groundbreaking research earned her two Nobel Prizes, Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911, becoming the first person ever to clinch the prestigious award twice. Despite her remarkable achievements, Curie faced substantial discrimination and prejudice. Her enduring legacy didn't emerge without strains of hardship - her dedication remains an inspiration and the embodiment of resilience.
Which two elements did Curie discover during her research in radioactivity?