Famous Scientists & Their Inventions | Lucent for GK - UPSC PDF Download

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, the brilliant physicist, is renowned for his profound contributions to science. His notable discoveries include the concept of the photon, which originated from his explanation of the photoelectric effect. Einstein is best known for his General and Special Theory of Relativity and the iconic mass-energy equivalence equation, E = mc².

J.J Thomson

J.J Thomson, an English physicist and Nobel Laureate, is credited with the discovery of the electron, the first subatomic particle ever identified. Through his experiments, Thomson demonstrated that cathode rays consisted of negatively charged particles, which he hypothesized to be smaller than atoms and possessing a substantial charge-mass ratio. He also provided evidence for the existence of isotopes in stable elements.

Ernest Rutherford

Known as the "father of nuclear physics," Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealand chemist, proposed the revolutionary model of an atom. According to his model, an atom consists of a small, charged nucleus surrounded by empty space, with tiny electrons orbiting around it. Rutherford is also credited with the discovery of protons and the hypothesis of neutrons.

John Dalton

John Dalton's major contribution to physics is his atomic theory, which consists of five fundamental principles. His theory revolutionized our understanding of atoms, stating that they are indivisible, indestructible particles that retain their identity during chemical reactions. Dalton's extensive observations led to significant discoveries in the field of chemistry.

James Chadwick

James Chadwick, a British physicist and Nobel laureate, made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nuclear physics—the neutron. His experiments involving neutron bombardment provided pivotal insights into nuclear fission, ultimately leading to the development of the atomic bomb.

Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton, one of the most influential figures in the history of science, made profound contributions to various fields. His discoveries include Newton's three laws of motion, which laid the foundation for modern classical mechanics. Newton's study of gravitational force enabled us to predict the movements of celestial bodies accurately. Additionally, his invention of calculus provided a powerful mathematical tool for analyzing the physical world.

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, renowned for his work on electrostatics, formulated Coulomb's law, which explains the principles of electrostatic attraction and repulsion. He extensively researched topics such as friction in machinery and the elasticity of metal and silk fibers. The SI unit of electric charge, the Coulomb, is named in his honor.

Georg Simon Ohm

Georg Simon Ohm, a German physicist, discovered Ohm's Law, a fundamental principle in electrical circuits. This law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to its voltage and inversely proportional to its resistance. Ohm's profound insight has had a lasting impact on the field of electrical engineering.

Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday, a dedicated experimentalist, made numerous noteworthy discoveries through his relentless pursuit of scientific intuition. His contributions include the discovery of electromagnetic induction, which laid the foundation for modern electrical power generation. Faraday also played a crucial role in the discovery of benzene and formulated Faraday's Laws of Electrolysis. His experiments with gas liquefaction and refrigeration were groundbreaking as well.

Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison, often referred to as "America's greatest inventor," made a multitude of significant inventions and discoveries. Some of his noteworthy contributions include the invention of the carbon rheostat, the incandescent light bulb, the motion picture camera, and the fluorescent electric lamp. Edison's meticulous approach to invention, emphasizing organized science and teamwork, propelled the advancement of mass communication and electric power generation.

Henri Becquerel

Henri Becquerel, a French physicist, made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of radioactivity, for which he received a Nobel Prize. The SI unit of radioactivity, the Becquerel, is named in his honor. Becquerel's most famous discoveries include the elements Polonium and Radium.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie

Marie Sklodowska-Curie, a pioneering chemist, conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity. She became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, receiving it twice for her remarkable contributions. Sklodowska-Curie's most notable discoveries include the elements Polonium and Radium, which revolutionized our understanding of radioactivity.

Max Planck

Max Planck, a German physicist, made significant contributions to the field of quantum theory. He proposed the revolutionary idea that energy is quantized, which earned him a Nobel Prize. Planck's work laid the foundation for understanding atomic and subatomic processes, ushering in a new era in physics.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, during his research on electromagnetism, made a pivotal observation known as the Photoelectric Effect. Although Hertz did not explore this effect further, his discovery laid the groundwork for Albert Einstein's proposal of light as discrete packets of energy called photons. This groundbreaking revelation led to the development of quantum mechanics.

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, a German physicist, discovered and detected electromagnetic radiation in the X-ray wavelength range. His discovery of X-rays revolutionized medical imaging and earned him a Nobel Prize in Physics.

Neils Bohr & Rutherford

Niels Bohr and Ernest Rutherford collaborated to advance our understanding of atomic structure. Rutherford's model proposed a positively charged nucleus at the center of an atom, with electrons orbiting around it. Bohr expanded on this model, suggesting that electrons occupy quantized orbits. Their work laid the foundation for the development of quantum mechanics.

Enrico Fermi

Enrico Fermi, an Italian-American physicist, made extraordinary contributions to nuclear physics. He is famously known as the "architect of the nuclear age" and the "architect of the atomic bomb." Fermi's achievements include the creation of the world's first nuclear reactor and his groundbreaking work on induced radioactivity. He received a Nobel Prize in Physics for his significant contributions.