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Ludwig Boltzmann

! scientist · # tag · @ author
1844–1906 · Statistical mechanics, Thermodynamics, Kinetic theory of gases
Creator of statistical mechanics, who showed the connection between entropy and probability and gave a profound justification for the second law of thermodynamics.

Biography

Born in Vienna. Studied at the University of Vienna, then taught in Graz, Munich, and again in Vienna. He defended the atomic theory of the structure of matter all his life, fiercely arguing with Ernst Mach and other positivists. His ideas about the statistical nature of heat were not recognized during his lifetime, which exacerbated his depression. He committed suicide in 1906, a few years before the experimental confirmation of atoms.

Key discoveries

💡 On Boltzmann's famous tombstone is carved the formula S = k log W, although he himself never wrote it in exactly that form. This simple inscription became a symbol of his belief in atoms, which were mocked during his lifetime.
Quote: "“The comprehensible distinction between past and future lies solely in what we know about the world.”"
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Related tags
cosmic microwave backgroundentropynucleosynthesis
Related laws
Stefan–Boltzmann lawBoltzmann distribution
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Jacob BekensteinRalph AlpherWilhelm WienRobert Woodrow WilsonCharles BennettJohn von NeumannLise MeitnerMax Planck

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