Apr
27
2012

Max Planck – Provides a Quantum Leap Forward for Mankind

These days you hear a lot about quantum physics – both in science fiction stories and in the latest tech pieces online.

Max Planck – Provides a Quantum Leap Forward for MankindHowever, as is usually the case, the person behind the advancements in this technology – one of the founding fathers – doesn't necessarily get the attention that you might expect. Who was the man responsible for today's understanding of quantum physics?

His name was Max Planck, and like so many other modern day scientists, his story is one that really needs to be heard by today's generation of up and coming scientific minds.

In the Beginning…

Max was born in Germany in April of 1858. He was an astute student from the very beginning and continued to absorb physics information to assimilate into his theories throughout his formal education. And the legacy that he left on our world belies the humble beginnings of this legendary scientist.

The Breakthrough

Max's story is interwoven with the story of the most well known scientific mind of the 20th century – Albert Einstein. In 1905 Einstein (who was relatively unknown at the time) published three scientific papers.

Max Planck was among the first to recognize just how significant these papers were to become. The subject: relativity! And while we all know that this theory went on to shake the very foundations of the world, Planck had a very significant role in the world shaking that was to come.

Max Planck didn't agree entirely with all of Einstein's findings. In fact, he initially rejected some of the work based around photoelectric effect, unwilling to discard some competing data found in some of Maxwell's legendary formulas.

Einstein replied to some of Planck's disagreeing assertions, and progress continued between the two. In fact, Planck – always a man in search of the truth – took it upon himself to clear up some of the misunderstandings between the two camps, and helped to clarify Einstein's vision of general relativity.

In his later years, Max Planck was appointed to the prestigious role of  the dean of Berlin University. While in this position, he secured a new professor role for Einstein. After a bit of time the two became very close friends, and even began to spend their time outside of the university playing music together.

Ultimately, Max Planck's vision of quantum physics enriched and built upon Einstein's work to help change the way that we view and live in the world. He may not ever lay the same claim to fame that Einstein has earned, but he is nonetheless important to the world of modern physics

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Apr
27
2012

Samuel Pierpont Langley: An Out-of-This-World Genius

It often takes someone who thinks outside of the box to come up with the types of scientific breakthroughs that affect the world for generations to come.

Samuel Pierpont LangleyAnd while Samuel Pierpont Langley may not be the type of scientist who has lots of mainstream exposure, like Einstein, his findings and scientific work have caused waves and ripples that continue to fuel massive scientific findings to this very day.

The Early Years

It may be difficult to believe that someone born well over 100 years ago could have come up with theories that still benefit us today, but it's true.

Samuel Pierpont Langley  was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834. He began his formal education at Boston Latin School, and went on to graduate high school from the English High School.

Later, when he moved on to higher education, Langley attended and worked at Harvard. After that, he pulled up stakes and became a respected professor of astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh.

Clearly a man who valued education, Samuel Pierpont Langley put his natural curiosity and intelligence together with the high level education he received over the years to become a leading astronomy researcher and theorist. Some of his most famous works involved the study of infrared radiation in our universe

To the Moon

Though it would be more than 50 years after his death in 1906, some of Samuel Pierpont Langley's astronomy discoveries played a big part in the first moon landing, and all subsequent space travel that took place.

His observations on radiation in outer space helped to develop theories about temperatures on the moon, and ultimately led to preparations for real world space travel.

Samuel Pierpont Langley will undoubtedly go down in history as a great mind, and his contributions to later space travel have proven to be most important.

It is crucial to know, though, that he also helped to open discussions about climate changes that would take place as a result of increasing carbon dioxide levels.

This discussion continues today, and is important for helping to reverse some of the damage that has been done to the earth's atmosphere.

While you may not hear a lot about Samuel Pierpont Langley in the history books, or in the mainstream media, you can be sure that the world as we know it today would be a much different place had it not been for the cutting edge research and progressive thinking of this man.

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Apr
27
2012

Albert Einstein: The Quintessential Genius

These days, when someone is very smart, or perhaps unusually inclined toward solving scientific problems, we often playfully call them “Einstein.”

Albert Einstein The Quintessential GeniusIt really is something when most of the world equates one man with the entire realm of deep thinking and genius. But that's just what Albert Einstein has become.

His name is so intertwined with the very idea of brilliance, that most people don't even think about the man behind the legend.

Humble Beginnings

As sure as Einstein was about many of this theories and ideas later in life, few people would have suspected that such a revolutionary scientific figure would emerge from this man's humble beginnings. Born a German-Jew in 1879, Albert grew up and went on to college.

However, he never stood out as a particularly bright or masterful student. This all changed over time, though, as Einstein went on to develop several of the world's most important physics theories.

E=mc2

There are millions of people who may not really know much about Albert Einstein, but they instantly recognize his most famous equation. When Einstein came up with the theory of relativity, it was apparent that he was on to something big.

But with the theory expanding over the years and leading to modern day breakthroughs in quantum sciences, even Einstein himself may not have ever anticipated what huge breakthroughs would come from this equation.

Albert Einstein Today

Though for many people, Einstein is little more than a cute, quirky character, we cannot deny his contributions to science and to humanity as a whole.

And while we may see his image pop up in movies, museums and in other pop culture settings, it's important that we never lose sight of just how much the brilliant mind and musings of this man have contributed to the world that we live in today.

Some experts agree that the real key to Einstein's genius was his unconventional approach to coming up with new ideas.

Ever the voracious reader and day dreamer, Einstein attributed the success of his scientific career to the fact that he always infused his formulas, research and studies with a healthy dose of imagination. And that's the kind of genius that we can all relate to – no matter how smart we may think we are.

So the next time you see a poster or television show that depicts Einstein as a bit of an eccentric mad scientist, remember the real genius of who he was and be thankful for all the modern day advances that were made possible because of his legendary intelligence and unparalleled power of imagination.

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Apr
27
2012

Jule Gregory Charney: The Original Weather Man

We all take advanced meteorology for granted these days. Simply click on the local news program or go online to check the weather, and a wealth of information is laid out for you.

Jule Gregory CharneyAnd even though the weather people on the news often take a beating for getting things wrong, they are using advanced technology and processes that simply weren't around a few decades ago.

But thanks to the breakthrough meteorological contributions of Jule Gregory Charney, we all enjoy the benefits of extremely advanced weather prediction today.

Early Years

Jule Gregory Charney was born on New Years Day in 1917. His early studies about climate, weather and atmospheric sciences ultimately led to his calculation of large scale movements of planetary scale waves.

Charney went on to present these findings to the scientific community at large, along with one of the most convincing physical explanations related to mid-latitude cyclones.

These findings and the related studies led to Jule Gregory Charney becoming known as the first modern day dynamical meteorologist.

He began his studies of physics at UCLA, and ultimately earned a masters and subsequent PhD – effectively ending his studies in 1946. But he was far from finished with his work at this point.

Earliest Weather Models

Partnering up with a fellow scientist, Jule Gregory Charney began working on some of the earliest prototypes of advanced weather predicting computer models.

The findings of Charney, along with several of his fellows, ultimately laid the foundation for the founding of the world famous Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory.

In the seventies Charney put together a loose group of meteorologists dedicated to the study of carbon dioxide and the climate for the renown National Research Council.

This ragtag group of scientists ultimately formulated a 22 page report that is still considered the watershed piece for modern day meteorological studies.

This report was one of the first modern scholarly works to show a strong leaning toward what is known today as Global Warming.

The Man – The Pioneer

For all that Jule Gregory Charney did for the scientific studies of the climate, he is still recognized as the pioneering mind that led to many of today's advanced meteorological technologies and findings.

Every year the American Meteorological Society gives out an award to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field. And as is fitting, this award is called the Jule Gregory Charney Award – a fitting tribute to his life's work indeed.

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Apr
27
2012

Svante Arrhenius: The Father of Modern Day Chemistry

If you ever languished in a chemistry class or course, you can look back in the annals of science and thank Svante Arrhenius.

This Swedish born scientist is generally credited with being the founder of modern-day physical chemistry. But like any good scientist Svante Arrhenius certainly didn't make his discoveries overnight.

Svante Arrhenius The Father of Modern Day ChemistryAnd with a long and highly decorated career in the sciences his expertise ranged beyond chemistry and into physics and in depth earth science studies as well.

Early Studies

When Svante Arrhenius first began his scholarly pursuits he was known primarily as a physicist. It wasn't long, though, before he branched out into other fields.

And his early theories soon led to discoveries in chemistry that are still being used as the basis of important breakthroughs today.

Eventually, his studies in physical chemistry resulted in his earning the coveted Nobel Prize for physical chemistry in 1903.

Greenhouse Effect

Never one to be limited in his studies, Svante Arrhenius later went on to formulate some very advanced concepts related to earth science; specifically the impact that fossil fuel carbons can have on the environment.

In fact, the history books will attest to the fact that Svante Arrhenius was the first person to raise concerns about the burning of precious fossil fuels ultimately leading to global warming.

And considering that this is a very hot-button topic today, it's apparent that Svante Arrhenius' breakthrough research was spot on and well ahead of its time.

Physiology Breakthroughs

Never one to be content with his accomplishments, Svante Arrhenius went on the year after winning the Nobel Prize to conduct breakthrough studies in the field of physiology.

His work focused heavily on how electrolytes are used in the body, and with the help of his chemistry prowess, his work in this field laid the foundation for advanced nutrition studies and biochemical advancements.

As you can see from this minor overview of Svante Arrhenius, he was certainly a scientist extraordinaire, and his findings continue to shape the world that we live in today.

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