Hans Christian Ørsted
- Born:
- August 14, 1777, Rudkøbing, Denmark
- Died:
- March 9, 1851, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nationality:
- Danish
- Profession(s):
- Physicist, Chemist, Philosopher
Early Life and Education
- Largely self-educated along with his brother due to limited formal schooling options in their early years.
- Passed entrance exams for the University of Copenhagen in 1793.
- Earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Copenhagen in 1799.
- Focused on pharmacy, chemistry, physics, and astronomy during his studies.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed as a lecturer in physics and chemistry at the University of Copenhagen in 1806.
- Became a full professor at the University of Copenhagen in 1815.
- In 1820, Hans Christian Ørsted electromagnetism was discovered during a lecture demonstration, observing that a compass needle deflected when near a current-carrying wire.
- This discovery established the fundamental connection between electricity and magnetism.
- Established the Danish Society for the Dissemination of Natural Science (SNU) in 1824.
- Became the first director of the Polytechnic College of Copenhagen in 1829.
Notable Works
- Experiments on the Effect of Electric Current on the Magnetic Needle (1820) - a landmark publication announcing his discovery.
- Contributed significantly to the understanding of chemical elements, including the first isolation of aluminum.
- Authored numerous philosophical essays exploring the relationship between science, nature, and the human spirit.
Legacy and Impact
Ørsted's discovery of electromagnetism revolutionized physics, paving the way for technologies such as electric motors and radio. His work also inspired numerous scientists, including Michael Faraday and André-Marie Ampère, to further explore the relationship between electricity and magnetism.