Who are the most famous physicists of all time?

Teaching physics at school is not necessarily the most enjoyable task ever, but the importance of physics to humanity cannot be overstated. The great physical discoveries show this – from the theory of relativity to universal gravity.

Some of the great physicists who made these discoveries were once normal students themselves during their school days. Up to a certain point, they were normal people like you and me, but they showed extraordinary intelligence and a great passion for physics.

Of course, you don't have to fall in love with physics as much as they do. It's a start if you're interested enough in the topic to keep up well in class. As your interest grows, you'll see that it becomes easy because you're interested in it.

In this article, you'll find an overview of the world's greatest physicists and their contribution to physics.

Famous physicists: Albert Einstein and his historical significance

The famous physicist Albert Einstein can be described as the creator of what is probably the best-known formula of all time and of great importance for the discovery of quantum mechanics and developer of the theory of relativity.

According to the theory of relativity, time does not pass at the same speed for everyone. It passes faster for a person who runs than for someone who stands still. The difference is minimal and therefore usually not noticeable to us. However, if we did not know about this difference, there would be major delays for satellites that monitor aircraft, for example.

When Einstein discovered that Newton's laws did not apply to small atoms, he began to develop quantum mechanics together with other physicists. This gave rise to a new era of physics: modern physics. The classical era of Galileu Galilei and Isaac Newton now made way for a new field. His studies of atomic physics formed the basis for the construction of the atomic bomb.

His work and efforts earned him the Nobel Prize in 1921. He has also been awarded other awards and prizes.

Today there is a prize named after him and an element of the periodic table bears his name "Einsteinium". This shows his love and dedication to physics.

The influence of Stephen Hawking in modern physics

Stephen Hawking was already compared to Einstein when he was just six years old. Born in England, he showed extraordinary intelligence at an early age when he became interested in building toy trains as a toddler.

His father was a doctor and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. However, he was interested in other things: he wanted to study mathematics and when this option was not available at the university of his choice, he studied physics. Hawking received a scholarship to graduate and did not stop studying after that. So he got his master's degree, doctorate and worked as a researcher.

At 21, he discovered that a degenerative nerve disease drastically shortened his life expectancy. Contrary to medical forecasts, he still lived to be 76 years old. However, the disease led to his musculoskeletal system becoming increasingly restricted. In his last years, he was only able to move the muscles of one of his cheeks and communicate in this way through a special computer.

His research postulated that not everything that falls into a black hole is lost forever. According to him, it is possible to identify radiation from objects that have fallen into the black hole. However, information about these objects is lost forever.

He also said that any particle that falls into such a hole carries some energy and that they can disappear after a lot of contact with other objects. In addition, Hawking wrote a number of books. It was important to him to make physics accessible to the masses with the help of his publications.

While others were busy researching the Big Bang, he wanted to know what was before it. His illness did not stop him from becoming one of the most famous physicists of all time that every generation knows.

Marie Curie: her legacy and her scientific discoveries

The first proof that physics is not a field reserved exclusively for men was Marie Curie in history. She managed to get into a university at a time when science was reserved exclusively for the male sex. She was also the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics.

She graduated from the University of Paris in physics, chemistry and mathematics. She married Pierre Curie (hence her surname), who was also a physicist himself. With his help, she found a job.

After the death of her husband, she took over the position of professor, which had been occupied by him until then. She was also the first woman to hold a university professorship at the time.

Marie Curie is known for the discovery of two chemical elements: polonium (which got its name in reference to her country of origin) and radium. Marie Curie also coined the term "radiation".

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With her research, she opened up a new field of research: radioactivity. It advocated that X-rays should be used for the benefit of humanity and sent mobile X-ray machines to the combat zones of the First World War to be used to treat the wounded.

The fact that we now have easy access to X-ray examinations is thanks to Marie Curie. Treatments with chemotherapy are equally due to her. Ironically, Curie herself died of leukemia, which was caused by her excessive exposure to radiation in connection with her work.

Max Planck, the father of quantum mechanics

Max Planck had an interest in physics from a very early age and insisted on studying physics at university, even after a teacher told him that it was a widely researched field. He was always an outstanding student, but physics remained his passion even after he discovered his musical talent.

His research was essentially related to quantum physics. He was engaged in the study of black bodies until he discovered the law of radiation, which refers to the radiation of bodies. It was the first to quantify energy in particles that were later given the name photons.

The calculation of this energy is based on a formula that includes the length of the wave and the temperature of the body.

E=h.f is known as the "Planck constant" and is still used today.

Planck and Einstein worked together and made joint discoveries.

Planck opposes Hitler and the Nazi regime, which leads to his son being accused of an attempted assassination attempt on Hitler and sentenced to death for it. Planck then lost his will to live and spent his last years in seclusion with his wife.

Physics, Electricity and Nikola Tesla

Would you believe me if I told you that it wasn't Thomas Edison who invented electricity? In truth, these and other discoveries can be attributed to Nikola Tesla, although he was never recognized as their inventor.

Tesla and Edison led the "Battle of Tensions", with one in favor of direct current and the other in favor of alternating current. Therefore, he can be considered the father of electricity.

Another important discovery of the physicist was the fluorescent lamp, which gained popularity as an alternative lighting option and was also an inexpensive option.

The Tesla coil, invented in 1890, made the first radio transmitters possible. It is still used in high-voltage generators today. It is based on a simple system that could even be recreated at home if there was no risk of burning.

At the end of his life, he developed a disease that made him very sensitive to light, which forced him to avoid his own invention.

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The world's greatest physicist: learn everything you need to know about Isaac Newton!

The name Isaac Newton is associated with the law of gravity. He is considered one of the most important physicists in history, if he has already dealt with the conditions that more or less condition the entire universe.

Newton was interested in mathematics from an early age. This even went so far that he refused to take over the family business after the death of his stepfather. His father had died a few months before he was born. He studied physics both at university and alone at home, where he lived with his mother.

Everything indicates that the famous story of the apple that fell on his head and made him think about gravity is also true. The law of gravitation that he then developed explains that the orbits of the planets around the sun are elliptical.

In addition, he also discovered the law of inertia, the law of force and the law of interaction, which are summarized under the term Newton's laws.

So there are a number of inspiring figures in physics. If you enjoy and like the subject, then you might one day make the next great discovery of physics.

source : Famous physicists | Superprof