Physics pays such a pivotal role in our understanding of our surroundings and universe, that any major developments in the field are obviously met with resounding acclaim for all those involved.
Perhaps the most famous physicist of all time, is one Albert Einstein. Born in Germany in 1879, he went on to produce his theory of relativity and the world famous E=mc2 equation, a theory which revolutionized physics for ever more. In the equation E=mc2, E is energy, m is mass and c is the speed of light within a vacuum. The equation is used to explain the mass–energy equivalence concept, which suggests that the mass of a body is a measure of its energy content. These are just a couple of his most notable contributions, but over his scientific career, Einstein made tens of famous discoveries and observations, and contributed dearly to science in general. He died in 1955, aged 76.
Perhaps the most famous living physicist is Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking was born in 1942, and has gone on to achieve similarly outstanding achievements, despite suffering for a debilitating motor neuron disease. He is most noted for his work on black holes, theoretical cosmology, quantum gravity, and 'Hawking' radiation. He also actively campaigns for bringing physics to the masses on an understandable level.
An example of a celebrity physicist, perhaps showing that the subject is gaining popularity among the population, is Professor Brian Cox, who has presented a number of popular science programs on the BBC, including Wonder of the Solar System, and Wonder of the Universe. His easy to understand style of presenting and explanation of complex physical systems such as entropy and chaos theory, has led to a wave of interest in the subject. Some of that interest comes from very casual backgrounds, and so his work in this field has been highly commended.
Perhaps the most famous physicist of all time, is one Albert Einstein. Born in Germany in 1879, he went on to produce his theory of relativity and the world famous E=mc2 equation, a theory which revolutionized physics for ever more. In the equation E=mc2, E is energy, m is mass and c is the speed of light within a vacuum. The equation is used to explain the mass–energy equivalence concept, which suggests that the mass of a body is a measure of its energy content. These are just a couple of his most notable contributions, but over his scientific career, Einstein made tens of famous discoveries and observations, and contributed dearly to science in general. He died in 1955, aged 76.
Perhaps the most famous living physicist is Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking was born in 1942, and has gone on to achieve similarly outstanding achievements, despite suffering for a debilitating motor neuron disease. He is most noted for his work on black holes, theoretical cosmology, quantum gravity, and 'Hawking' radiation. He also actively campaigns for bringing physics to the masses on an understandable level.
An example of a celebrity physicist, perhaps showing that the subject is gaining popularity among the population, is Professor Brian Cox, who has presented a number of popular science programs on the BBC, including Wonder of the Solar System, and Wonder of the Universe. His easy to understand style of presenting and explanation of complex physical systems such as entropy and chaos theory, has led to a wave of interest in the subject. Some of that interest comes from very casual backgrounds, and so his work in this field has been highly commended.
