The German scientist Heinrich Hertz became famous for his experimental confirmation of the electromagnetic theory of light. A professor of physics at the universities of Karlsruhe and Bonn proved the existence of electromagnetic waves and conducted their research. The results of his experiments became the basis for the work on the creation of radio.
Heinrich Rudolf Hertz's teachers were Gustav Kirchhoff and Hermann von Helmholtz. The mentor called his disciple “Favorite of the Gods”. The physicist proved the coincidence of the speed of propagation of electromagnetic waves with light.
The road to vocation
The biography of the future scientist began in 1857. The child was born into the family of a lawyer on February 22 in Hamburg. Then the boy's brothers also worked in the banking sector. Henry was distinguished by curiosity and diligence. Those around him were amazed at his phenomenal memory.
Hertz studied excellently. In the class, he had no equal in intelligence. The student became interested in the Arabic language and physics. The schoolboy adored reading the works of Homer and Dante. The teenager himself wrote poetry. Heinrich attended the School of Crafts and Arts to study turning and drawing.
The acquired skills were realized while working on experimental installations. Heinrich made the first devices while he was at school. Parents dreamed that the son would continue his father's work and become a lawyer. This completely suited Hertz himself. He went to get education in Dresden, continued in Munich.
Most of all, the young man was interested in technology. The decision to pursue an engineering career was gradually strengthened. During his studies, Hertz participated in the construction of one of the bridges. At this point, the future physicist did not think about doing science. But he soon realized that he was not interested in engineering either.
In the course of specialization, the student realized that he had chosen a scientific path. But he did not plan to become a narrow specialist, choosing a scientific work. The family supported him. In 1978, Hertz entered the physics department of the Moscow University.
First discoveries
Attention to the gifted student was drawn by Ferdinand Helmholtz, the greatest physicist of the era. After solving a very difficult problem in electrodynamics, the professor was convinced of Heinrich's talent. Electrodynamics remained a completely unknown field. Theories for its study were used untested in practice. There were no ideas about the nature of magnetic and electric fields.
The mentor offered the student 9 months to solve the problem. The student dealt with the question in the laboratory. The researcher showed the skill of the experimenter to the fullest. He made and debugged the devices himself. As a result, the problem was solved in 3 months. Hertz received an award for his work.
New experiments began in the summer of 1879. Heinrich, who decided to continue the experiments he had begun, took up the induction of rotating bodies. The work on the doctoral dissertation has started. Hertz believed that he would conduct all the necessary research within a couple of months and defend the project during training. The research ended brilliantly with a demonstration of excellent command of the experimental apparatus.
In 1880, a student with a doctorate degree received a diploma. At first, he worked as an assistant to his mentor. After a couple of years, Helmholtz sent the student to the University of Kiel. There Heinrich headed the Department of Theoretical Physics for three years. Later, the scientist moved to Karlsruhe, starting work as a professor at the Higher Technical School.
The personal life of the scientist was also settled there. The physicist's chosen one was Elizabeth Doll. The family had two children, daughters Matilda and Joanna. Matilda Carmen became famous as a talented psychologist.
New experiences
After the wedding, the scientist completely immersed himself in work. He moved from theory to practice. The professor was provided with an excellent laboratory. In it, he conducted experiments on the propagation of electric force, confirming the conclusions of Maxwell. The experiments were crowned with success.
The scientist proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. Experiments carried out with a pair of induction coils made it possible to create both a high-frequency generator and a resonator. The device designed by the physicist was called the emitter of electromagnetic waves or the vibrator and radio transmitter of Hertz. The scientist also invented a corresponding radio receiver. The results were published in the work "On the Rays of Electric Power" at the end of 1888.
Awards to the new triumphant have been presented since 1889. Many European academies have chosen him as their corresponding member. The experimenter received a prestigious order at home. A decade later, the results of Hertz's experiments found practical application. The scientist himself did not recognize the significance of the radio waves discovered by him. But the discovery was appreciated by Alexander Popov. He was the first to transmit the name of the great physicist by radio communication in the spring of 1896.
Hertz moved to Bonn. At the university, he headed the Department of Physics. During the next experiment, the physicist traced the appearance of sparks in the apparatus. This is how the photo effect was discovered. Theoretically, the new phenomenon was substantiated by Albert Einstein, who received the Nobel Prize for this in 1921.
Memory
The famous scientist passed away on the first day of 1894. His work, which remained unfinished, was completed and published by Hermann Helmholtz.
The works of Heinrich Rudolf Hertz formed the basis of almost all modern areas of physics. The founder of electrodynamics was not only engaged in science. He wrote beautiful poetry and was an excellent turner.
The experimenter's nephew also chose a scientific career. The Nobel laureate created a medical sonograph, the prototype of modern ultrasound devices.
The unit of frequency is named after the famous scientist. In 1987, a medal was instituted for the annual presentation of experimenters and theorists. The name of the scientist was given to a lunar crater and a television and radio communication tower located in Germany.
