Irving Langmuir: Difference between revisions
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[[ | [[File:Langmuir-sitting.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Irving Langmuir and Guglielmo Marconi in lab.jpg|thumb]] [[File:General electric pliotron pp schenectady 3.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Langmuirtime.jpeg|thumb]] {{Infobox scientist | ||
{{Infobox scientist | | name = Irving Langmuir | ||
| name | | image = Irving Langmuir.jpg | ||
| image | | caption = Irving Langmuir, American chemist and physicist | ||
| birth_date = [[January 31]], [[1881]] | |||
| birth_place = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], [[United States]] | |||
| caption | | death_date = [[August 16]], [[1957]] | ||
| birth_date | | death_place = [[Falmouth]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]] | ||
| birth_place | | nationality = [[American]] | ||
| death_date | | fields = [[Chemistry]], [[Physics]] | ||
| death_place | | institutions = [[General Electric]] | ||
| nationality | | alma_mater = [[Columbia University]], [[University of Göttingen]] | ||
| fields | | known_for = [[Surface chemistry]], [[Langmuir isotherm]], [[Langmuir waves]] | ||
| | | awards = [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] (1932) | ||
| alma_mater | |||
| known_for | |||
| awards | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Irving Langmuir''' (January 31, 1881 – August 16, 1957) was an American chemist and physicist. He was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] in 1932 for his work in | '''Irving Langmuir''' ([[January 31]], [[1881]] – [[August 16]], [[1957]]) was an American chemist and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of [[surface chemistry]]. He was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] in 1932 for his work in surface chemistry, particularly for his investigations of [[adsorption]] phenomena. | ||
== Early Life and Education == | == Early Life and Education == | ||
Langmuir was born in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York | Langmuir was born in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], and was the third of four sons of Charles Langmuir and Sadie Comings. He attended [[Columbia University]], where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in [[metallurgical engineering]] in 1903. He then pursued further studies at the [[University of Göttingen]] in Germany, where he received his Ph.D. in 1906 under the supervision of [[Walther Nernst]]. | ||
== Career == | == Career and Research == | ||
Langmuir joined the [[General Electric]] Research Laboratory in [[Schenectady]], [[New York]], in 1909, where he spent the majority of his career. His research at General Electric led to numerous innovations and discoveries. | |||
Langmuir | === Surface Chemistry === | ||
Langmuir's most notable work was in the field of [[surface chemistry]]. He developed the concept of the [[Langmuir isotherm]], which describes the adsorption of molecules on solid surfaces. This work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of [[catalysis]] and [[surface reactions]]. | |||
== | === Plasma Physics === | ||
Langmuir also made significant contributions to [[plasma physics]]. He introduced the term "[[plasma]]" to describe ionized gases and studied [[Langmuir waves]], which are oscillations in the electron density of a plasma. | |||
Langmuir | |||
=== | === Other Contributions === | ||
Langmuir's work extended to various other fields, including [[thermodynamics]], [[chemical kinetics]], and [[cloud seeding]]. He was involved in the development of the [[tungsten]] filament for light bulbs, which greatly improved their efficiency and lifespan. | |||
== | == Awards and Honors == | ||
In addition to the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] in 1932, Langmuir received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career. He was elected to the [[National Academy of Sciences]] and was a member of several other prestigious scientific organizations. | |||
== Personal Life == | == Personal Life == | ||
Langmuir married Marion Mersereau in 1912, and they had two children. He was known for his curiosity and enthusiasm for science, | Langmuir married Marion Mersereau in 1912, and they had two children. He was known for his curiosity and enthusiasm for science, as well as his ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. | ||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
Langmuir's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of [[chemistry]] and [[physics]]. The [[Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research]] in [[New Mexico]] is named in his honor, reflecting his contributions to the study of [[atmospheric phenomena]]. | |||
== | == Also see == | ||
* [[Surface chemistry]] | * [[Surface chemistry]] | ||
* [[Langmuir isotherm]] | * [[Langmuir isotherm]] | ||
* [[Plasma physics]] | * [[Plasma physics]] | ||
* [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] | |||
* [[General Electric]] | * [[General Electric]] | ||
{{Nobel laureates in Chemistry 1931–1950}} | |||
[[Category:1881 births]] | [[Category:1881 births]] | ||
[[Category:1957 deaths]] | [[Category:1957 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:American chemists]] | [[Category:American chemists]] | ||
[[Category:Nobel laureates in Chemistry]] | [[Category:Nobel laureates in Chemistry]] | ||
[[Category:Columbia University alumni]] | [[Category:Columbia University alumni]] | ||
[[Category:University of Göttingen alumni]] | [[Category:University of Göttingen alumni]] | ||
[[Category:General Electric people]] | [[Category:General Electric people]] | ||
Revision as of 15:45, 9 December 2024
Irving Langmuir
Irving Langmuir, American chemist and physicist
| Birth date | January 31, 1881 |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Died | August 16, 1957 |
| Place of death | Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Surface chemistry, Langmuir isotherm, Langmuir waves |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1932) |
Irving Langmuir (January 31, 1881 – August 16, 1957) was an American chemist and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of surface chemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1932 for his work in surface chemistry, particularly for his investigations of adsorption phenomena.
Early Life and Education
Langmuir was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was the third of four sons of Charles Langmuir and Sadie Comings. He attended Columbia University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering in 1903. He then pursued further studies at the University of Göttingen in Germany, where he received his Ph.D. in 1906 under the supervision of Walther Nernst.
Career and Research
Langmuir joined the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York, in 1909, where he spent the majority of his career. His research at General Electric led to numerous innovations and discoveries.
Surface Chemistry
Langmuir's most notable work was in the field of surface chemistry. He developed the concept of the Langmuir isotherm, which describes the adsorption of molecules on solid surfaces. This work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of catalysis and surface reactions.
Plasma Physics
Langmuir also made significant contributions to plasma physics. He introduced the term "plasma" to describe ionized gases and studied Langmuir waves, which are oscillations in the electron density of a plasma.
Other Contributions
Langmuir's work extended to various other fields, including thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and cloud seeding. He was involved in the development of the tungsten filament for light bulbs, which greatly improved their efficiency and lifespan.
Awards and Honors
In addition to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1932, Langmuir received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and was a member of several other prestigious scientific organizations.
Personal Life
Langmuir married Marion Mersereau in 1912, and they had two children. He was known for his curiosity and enthusiasm for science, as well as his ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Legacy
Langmuir's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of chemistry and physics. The Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research in New Mexico is named in his honor, reflecting his contributions to the study of atmospheric phenomena.
