The Nobel Prize was founded by Alfred Nobel, a well-known inventor, entrepreneur, scientist and businessman. He wished that the prizes should be given for five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine/Physiology, Literature, and Peace. In 1968, another category was established, called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

The winners for 2021 are:

In Physics: 

Japanese meteorologist, Syukuro Manabe, and the German oceanographer, Klaus Hasselmann “for their physical model of Earth’s climate, which has helped in predicting global warming accurately.”

Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann created a forecast model of the Earth’s weather patterns, which will help experts predict when global warming will happen, and how long it will last.

Italian theoretical physicist Giorgio Parisi, for his “explanation of the chaos in physical systems, whose size can range from as small as an atom, to as big as a planet.”

Physical systems are specific portions of the universe, which one focuses on for a study. These systems can range from the planets in space, to Earth’s atmosphere, to even something as simple as a glass of water. Giorgio Parisi explained that the existing physical systems are never in order; they can be as small as an atom, or as big as a planet, but they exist in total chaos.

In Chemistry:

Benjamin List and David Macmillan, chemists from Germany and Scotland, respectively, “for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis”, which is a new, environmentally friendly way of building molecules.

Molecules are built by joining different types of atoms together. However, some molecules can harm the environment when they are built, like carbon monoxide molecules.

Benjamin List and David MacMillan found a way to build molecules using ways that will not harm the environment.

In Medicine/Physiology:

David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian — a physiologist and neuroscientist duo from America, “for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch”.

We can sense pain, temperature and pressure, usually by touch. David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian found the parts of our skin that sense these things accurately so we can identify what we are touching. They used capsaicin (the chemical that gives chillies their spice), methanol (a cooling chemical), and different temperatures in their research.

In Literature:

Abdulrazak Gurnah, a Tanzanian writer, “For his research on the lasting effects of foreign rule and the fate of refugees.”

Gurnah has written ten novels, and many short stories in his career. All his stories have similar themes—a refugee in a country different from what they are used to.

In Economic Sciences (Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel)

Canadian economist David Card, “for his logical contribution and explanations for labour economics.”

Labour economics is the study of how the people working in any job play a big role in the process of something being made, which can be anything: a packet of chips, mobile phones, or even aeroplanes. David Card has helped people understand this particular part of economics and has contributed to expanding this study.

Israeli economist Joshua D. Angrist and Guido W. Imbens from the Netherlands, “for their logical contributions to the study of causal relationships”

A causal relationship is when a second event happens because of a first event; for example: not keeping your books on your shelf or clothes in the cupboard can lead to a messy room. Joshua D. Angrist and Guido W. Imbens applied this logic and showed how real-life situations can help provide solutions to many of society’s problems, including how minimum wages, immigration and education affects employment.

The Nobel Peace Prize went to: 

Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, journalists from the Philippines and Russia, respectively, “for their efforts to guard freedom of expression, which is always needed for democracy and lasting peace”

The freedom of expression gives one the power to speak and express oneself freely without being stopped by the government. In India, freedom of expression is a fundamental right; it allows us to speak the truth and hold people in power accountable for their actions. Maria Ressa reported on the abuse of power and violence in the Philippines, while Dmitry Muratov made sure the newspaper he was the editor for only reported honest news, both valiant efforts to safeguard the freedom of expression!

Sources:
Nobel Prize winners 2021
Nobel Prize facts
Nobel Prize Chemistry 
Nobel Prize Physics