Physics History

He was a polymath with interests in biology, physics, botany and writing science fiction.

He was a pioneer in the investigation of radio microwave optics.

He also made significant contributions to botany, and was a major force behind the expansion of experimental science in his country.

He established one of the oldest and premier institute of science in his country.

A crater on the Moon was named in his honour.

Answer explanation

J C Bose

Known as the Father of Prussian Physics, he also played piano, organ and cello, and composed songs and operas.

When he decided to pursue a career in Physics a physics professor advised him against going into physics, saying, "In this field, almost everything is already discovered, and all that remains is to fill a few holes.”

He described his most famous contribution to physics as “an act of despair”

Answer explanation

Max Planck

One of the best-known scientists in the world during his lifetime, he became known to the wider public in the 1980s as a member of the Rogers Commission, the panel that investigated the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

He assisted in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II

He was also an accomplished locksmith and a good bongo player.

Answer explanation

Richard Feynman

One of the greatest and most influential scientists of all times; Einstein kept a photo of this scientist on his study wall.

From the age of 14, for seven years he was an apprentice to a bookbinder and bookseller.

He also worked extensively in the field of chemistry. He also discovered an early form of the bunsen burner.

But his best known work is in the field of physics.

The only maths in his notes was trigonometry and the simplest algebra.

Answer explanation

Michael Faraday

X was an _____ nuclear physicist.

X is widely credited as the "father of the _____ nuclear programme"

X was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1951 and 1953–1956.

Electron-positron scattering was later named after him.

X played a key role in the early development of quantum electrodynamics

ID X.

Answer explanation

Homi Bhabha

X excelled at physics and mathematics from an early age. He discovered an original proof of the Pythagorean theorem before his thirteenth birthday.

Did not get a Nobel prize for his most famous discovery.

Great violin player.

Got a patent for the design of a refrigerator.

ID X.

Answer explanation

Albert Einstein

Name a father son pair to win Nobel prizes in physics.

The father won the Nobel prize for discovering electron - a new particle.

While the son won the Nobel prize for discovering that electron is a wave!

Answer explanation

J J Thompson

and

George Thomson

Name the only Nobel laureate to get a physics Nobel prize twice

and for which theories?

Answer explanation

John Bardeen

Invention of the transistor

For a theory of conventional superconductivity known as the BCS theory