Download - Famous Physicists and Their Contributions
The first American physi-
cist; characterized two kinds
of electric charge, which he
named ``positive'' and
``negative''.
Developed hypothesis that
all gases at same volume,
pressure, and temperature
contain same number of
atoms.
Discovered that pressure
applied to an enclosed fluid
is transmitted undiminished
to every part of the fluid and
to the walls of its container
(Pascal's principle).
Greek mathematician, physi-
cist, engineer, inventor, and
astronomer. Although few de-
tails of his life are known, he is
regarded as one of the leading
scientists in classical antiquity.
Studied conditions that oc-
cur when an object moves
through a fluid at high
speed. Proposed ``Mach's
principle,'' which states that the inertia of an object is
due to the interaction between the object and the rest
of the universe .
Pioneer in study of electrici-
ty; invented the first electric
battery.
Co-discovered that intensity
of magnetic field set up by a
current flowing through a
wire varies inversely with the
distance from the wire.
Made the first terrestrial meas-
urement of the speed of light;
invented one of the first inter-
ferometers; took the first pictures of the Sun on da-
guerreotypes.
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Developed the fundamental
relationship of fluid flow
now known as Bernoulli's
principle.
Discovered that current flow
is proportional to potential
difference and inversely
proportional to resistance
(Ohm's law).
Performed fundamental ob-
servations, experiments, and
mathematical analyses in as-
tronomy and physics; discov-
ered mountains and craters on
the moon, and other planets.
Proposed a simple geometrical
wave theory of light, now
known as ``Huygen's princi-
ple''; pioneered use of the pen-
dulum in clocks.
Invented the modern condens-
ing steam engine and a centrif-
ugal governor.
Developed first law of ther-
modynamics, a statement of
conservation of energy
Hypothesized foreshortening
of moving bodies (Lorentz-
FitzGerald contraction) to
explain the result of the Mi-
chelson-Morley experiment.
Developed theories of gravita-
tion and mechanics, and in-
vented differential calculus.
Best known for his Three
Laws of Motion.
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Established the differen-
tial equation governing
heat diffusion and solved
it by devising an infinite
series of sine and cosines capable of ap-
proximating a wide variety of functions .
Liquified nitrogen and
invented the Dewar flask,
which is critical for low-
temperature work.
Propounded the theory of
electromagnetism; devel-
oped the kinetic theory of
gases
Developed empirical for-
mula to describe hydrogen
spectrum
Contributed to the fields of
hydraulics and hydrodynam-
ics; developed mathematical
framework for turbulence and
introduced the ``Reynolds
number,'' which provides a criterion for dynamic
similarity and correct
modeling in many fluid-
flow experiments .
Contributed to the develop-
ment of electromagnetism;
introduced operational calculus
and invented the modern nota-
tion for vector calculus.
Made fundamental contribu-
tions to fluid dynamics, lunar
orbit theory (tides), and me-
chanics; also contributed pro-
lifically to all areas of classical
mathematics.
English physicist who discov-
ered the law of elasticity,
known as Hooke's law, and
who did research in a remarka-
ble variety of fields.
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Studied light and color;
known for his double-slit
experiment that demon-
strated the wave nature of
light.
Developed sensitive mag-
netometers; worked in
electrodynamics and the
electrical structure of mat-
ter.
Developed the principle of
least action and the Hamil-
tonian form of classical
mechanics.
A German-born theoret-
ical physicist who de-
veloped the general the-
ory of relativity, one of
the two pillars of mod-
ern physics (alongside quantum mechanics).
While best known for his mass–energy equiv-
alence formula E = mc2 (which has been
dubbed "the world's most famous equation"),
he received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics
"for his services to theoretical physics, and
especially for his discovery of the law of the
photoelectric effect". The latter was pivotal in
establishing quantum theory.
Tesla is credited with
inventing modern radio.
The Tesla coil, invented
in 1891, is still used in
radio and television sets
and other electronic
equipment. In total, Nikola Telsa was granted
more than one hundred patents and invented
countless unpatented inventions. In 1885,
George Westinghouse, head of the Westing-
house Electric Company, bought the patent
rights to Tesla's system of dynamos, trans-
formers and motors. Nikola Tesla was Thom-
as Edison's rival at the end of the 19th centu-
ry. In fact, he was more famous than Edison
throughout the 1890's.
Developed a carbon-filament
incandescent light; patented
the carbon process for print-
ing photographs in permanent
pigment.
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