Part 3 Study Flashcards
(20 cards)
13 June 1831 – 5 November 1879
Scottish physicist and mathematician
-best known for his formulation of the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, bringing together electricity, magnetism, and light as different manifestations of the same phenomenon
-made pioneering contributions to the understanding of color perception and optics. He conducted experiments that led to the development of the first durable color photograph
-made significant contributions to the kinetic theory of gases, which provides a molecular-level description of gases. His work led to the establishment of the distribution of molecular speeds in a gas, known as the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution
-His set of equations, known as Maxwell’s Equations, describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by each other and by charges and currents. These equations paved the way for the theory of electromagnetism
James Clerk Maxwell
June 16, 1902 – September 2, 1992
American scientist and who was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Medicine
-best known for discovering “jumping genes” or transposable elements. These are sequences of DNA that can move or transpose themselves to new positions within the genome of a single cell
- research was conducted on maize (corn). Through her detailed cytogenetic analysis, she developed techniques to visualize chromosomes and their behavior during cell division
Barbara McClintock
7 November 1878 – 27 October 1968
Austrian-Swedish nuclear physicist
- worked closely with chemist Otto Hahn in Berlin, where they conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. Together, they discovered several new isotopes
-known for her role in the discovery of nuclear fission, the process by which an atomic nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy. This discovery laid the groundwork for the development of nuclear energy and atomic bombs
-Despite facing gender and political discrimination—being forced to flee Nazi Germany due to her Jewish heritage—she continued her scientific work in Sweden
Lise Meitner
1822-1884
Austria
Biologist, Meteorologist
“Father of Genetics”
Known for: pea plant experiments for plant hybridizations
Recessive and dominant genes (how traits are passed from one generation to the next)
Learned that individuals inherit one allele from each parent
Discovered basic principles of heredity, science of genetics
He chose pea plants because - analyzing seven different traits such as flower color, seed shape, and pod color. His choice of pea plants was strategic due to their distinct and easily observable traits, as well as their ability to self-pollinate
Gregor Mendel
23 November 1887 – 10 August 1915
English physicist
best known for formulating Moseley’s Law, which established a systematic relationship between X-ray frequencies & atomic numbers
-Prior to his research, the periodic table was arranged by atomic mass, which led to inconsistencies. His work demonstrated that the atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus) is a better indicator of an element’s identity. This reordering resolved many discrepancies in Mendeleev’s periodic table
Died In World War I
-His contributions laid the groundwork for the modern concept of the atomic number, which is fundamental to the field of chemistry and physics. His findings also influenced the development of the nuclear model of the atom
Henry Moseley
1642-1727
British/England
Published several books
Mathematics professor at Trinity College
Known for discoveries in optics and calculus
Known for Laws of Gravity and Motion
Newton’s First Law of Motion - an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by another force (Law of Inertia)
Newton’s Second Law of Motion - The force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration F=ma
Newton’s Third law of motion - For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Newton’s Law of Gravity - every object in the universe pulls on other objects through gravity, the more massive the object is, the stronger the pull
Isaac Newton
12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910
English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing
often referred to as “The Lady with the Lamp,”
-developed the “polar area diagram” (also known as the Nightingale Rose Diagram), a form of the pie chart, to visually represent the causes of mortality in the Crimean War
-She advocated for proper ventilation, cleanliness, and efficient drainage systems in hospital wards
-served as a manager/trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, she organised care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople
-“Notes on Nursing,” which outlined key principles of nursing care and public health
-established the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London
She significantly reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards
-Her work laid the foundation for modern epidemiology. Nightingale’s approach emphasized the importance of sanitation, hygiene, & statistical analysis in preventing disease outbreaks
Florence Nightingale
1824-1896
Sweden
Chemist, inventor
Rich from shareholdings in gold mines and patents
Known for: inventing dynamite and an explosive device called a blasting cap, invented a detonator to make it safer to transport dynamite
Felt guilty about his inventions being used in wars - led to the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Prizes are named after him, awarded to those who excel in sciences, make a significant discovery/invention. His fortune was left to fund the Nobel Prizes in his last will and testament
Invented the veneer lathe to make modern day plywood
Experimented with making synthetic rubber, leather, and artificial silk
Alfred Nobel
1822-1895
France
Chemist, Pharmacist, microbiologist
Known for: Process of Pasteurization (heating technique to treat milk, wine, etc to stop bacterial contamination)
Worked towards cures for diseases
Developed earliest vaccines for cholera, anthrax, rabies, smallpox
- identified the causes of silkworm diseases, saving the silk industry in France from collapse
Louis Pasteur
570 – c. 495 BC
ancient Ionian Greek philosopher and mathematician
Pythagoras was credited with many mathematical and scientific discoveries, including the Pythagorean theorem and the identity of the morning and evening stars as the planet Venus
Founder of Pythagoreanism. His political and religious teachings were well known in Magna Graecia and influenced the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and, through them, the West in general
Pythagorean Theorem: in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides
-studied acoustics and music theory, discovering harmonious sounds
Pythagoras
100 – c. 170 AD
Alexandrian mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and music theorist
-best known for his work in astronomy, particularly the geocentric model of the universe, which positioned the Earth at the center
- known for the Ptolemaic Theorem, which relates to the geometry of circles and is used in trigonometry
wrote about a dozen scientific books, three of which were important to later Byzantine, Islamic, and Western European science
- authored Geographia, a comprehensive text that compiled the geographical knowledge of the Roman Empire - included maps and a coordinate system which was an early form of latitude and longitude
-made contributions to the field of optics, particularly in the properties of light. His work included studies on reflection and refraction, which later influenced the development of optical science
Claudius Ptolemy
18 February 1626 – 1 March 1697
Italian physician, naturalist, biologist, and poet
founder of experimental biology
first person to challenge the theory of spontaneous generation by demonstrating that maggots come from eggs of flies
-In 1668, he conducted a series of experiments using meat and jars. He demonstrated that when meat was kept in a sealed jar, no maggots appeared, while meat in an open jar did attract flies, leading to the appearance of maggots.
-This experiment provided evidence that life does not spontaneously arise from non-living material but instead from living organisms (in this case, flies)
-made contributions to the study of parasites -among the first to study and describe parasites in detail, documenting their life cycles
Francesco Redi
1871-1937
New Zealand
Physicist and chemist
Known for: The Father of Nuclear Physics
First to split the atom
-famous for his gold foil experiment, conducted with Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden. This experiment led to the discovery that atoms consist of a small, dense nucleus surrounded by electrons
Won the Nobel Prize in 1908 for his work with exploring radioactive substances
Had a chemical element named after him- rutherfordium (synthetic, radioactive element not found in nature)
-identified the proton as a fundamental particle in the nucleus
- discovered the concept of radioactive half-life, which is the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
-distinguished between alpha and beta particles emitted by radioactive materials, which was essential in understanding radiation and its properties
Ernest Rutherford
April 28, 1928 – July 18, 1997
American geologist
(After his death, some of his ashes were carried to the Moon with the Lunar Prospector mission.)
-He founded the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Astrogeology Research Program, which contributed to the geological mapping of the Moon and other celestial bodies.
co-discovered Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 with his wife Carolyn S. Shoemaker and David H. Levy - This comet famously collided with Jupiter in 1994, providing valuable data on planetary impact processes and the potential hazards of comet impacts on Earth.
Studied terrestrial craters and provided the first conclusive evidence of its origin as an impact crater
- renowned for his work on impact craters, particularly his studies of the Meteor Crater in Arizona. He demonstrated that this crater was caused by a meteorite impact
Gene Shoemaker
March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990
American psychologist, behaviorist, inventor, and social philosopher
most influential psychologist of the 20th century
Developed behavior analysis, especially the philosophy of radical behaviorism, and founded the experimental analysis of behavior
-To study operant conditioning, he designed an experimental apparatus known as the “Skinner Box” or operant conditioning chamber. This device allowed him to systematically study the behavior of animals (typically pigeons or rats) in a controlled environment, by reinforcing certain actions with rewards.
-best known for developing the theory of operant conditioning, which is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. This theory suggests that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are likely to be repeated, while those followed by negative outcomes are less likely to be repeated.
B.F. Skinner
Nikola Tesla
1856-1943
Serbian-American inventor and engineer
demonstrated the first remote-controlled model boat in 1898, showcasing the potential for wireless control of machines
developed the alternating current (AC) electrical system, which allowed for more efficient power transmission over long distances compared to the direct current (DC) system.
also contributed to the development of neon lights
Experimented with radio communications and x-rays
invented the Tesla Coil, a device capable of producing high-voltage, low-current, high-frequency alternating current electricity - laid the groundwork for wireless communication technologies.
He was considered a “mad scientist” because of his Unique inventions.
-He invented the AC induction motor and transformer, key components in the distribution & utilization of electric power.
- developed a bladeless turbine, known as the Tesla Turbine, which utilized smooth, parallel discs to convert fluid energy into mechanical energy.
Nikola Tesla
18 December 1856 – 30 August 1940
English physicist
-utilized a cathode ray tube to explore the properties of cathode rays. By applying magnetic and electric fields, he measured the charge-to-mass ratio of the particles, proving that cathode rays were indeed streams of particles (later called electrons) and not waves or other forms of energy
proposed the “plum pudding” model of the atom, which suggested that atoms are composed of electrons scattered within a “soup” of positive charge. Although later replaced by the nuclear model of the atom
was also a teacher, and seven of his students went on to win Nobel Prizes
Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906 for his discovery of the electron, the first subatomic particle to be found
J.J. Thomson
1736-1819
Scotland
Engineer and inventor
Improved the efficiency of the steam engine through the use of a separate condenser
Impacted the Industrial Revolution
Improved the Newcomen steam engine
His invention became known as the Watt engine and was requested in multiple factories to improve productivity
- introduced the term “horsepower” as a way to quantify and communicate engine power. This term is still used today in various fields of engineering and mechanics.
-developed the parallel motion linkage that enabled the pistons of steam engines to move in a straight line, enhancing the engine’s efficiency and reliability
James Watt
November 1880 – November 1930
German climatologist, geologist, geophysicist, meteorologist, and polar researcher
- proposed the idea that continents were once a single landmass, which he named Pangaea, and have since drifted apart to their current positions.
remembered as the originator of continental drift hypothesis by suggesting in 1912 that the continents are slowly drifting around the Earth
also recognized for his work in meteorology, particularly in understanding polar climates.
-his theory laid the groundwork for the development of the modern theory of plate tectonics.
-Plate tectonics, which explains the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates, is now a fundamental principle in geology.
Alfred Wegener
January 18, 1856 – August 4, 1931
American surgeon and hospital founder
He is known for being the first to perform a successful heart surgery
An African American, he founded Provident Hospital in 1891, which was the first non-segregated hospital in the United States
advocated for and implemented principles of aseptic surgery - His focus on cleanliness and sterilization helped reduce infection rates and improved surgical outcomes.
In 1913, he was elected as the only African-American charter member of the American College of Surgeons
mentor to many young African American doctors and nurses, promoting education and professional development in the medical field.
Daniel Hale Williams
