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Hendrik Lorentz

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Scientist

The Resume

    (July 18, 1853-February 4, 1928)
    Born in Arnhem, Netherlands
    With his student, Pieter Zeeman, received the second Nobel Prize in Physics (1902) for discovering and explaining the Zeeman Effect (the splitting by a magnetic field of the spectral lines emitted by an element)
    Coined the word 'electron' (1899)
    Developed the transformation equations used by Albert Einstein to describe space-time in the Special Theory of Relativity

Why he might be annoying:

    In its early years, special relativity was often referred to as the Lorentz-Einstein Theory, but over time his contributions to relativity faded from public memory. (Partly because Einstein went on to further develop relativity into a general theory.)
    He continued believing the universe was permeated by a 'luminous ether' that light propagated through well after most other physicists had dismissed the idea.
    When Erwin Schrodinger wrote to him to discuss problems in formulating the wave equation for quantum physics, Lorentz's advice essentially was to abandon the idea since it could never be made to resolve with classical mechanics.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was a mathematical prodigy who had mastered logarithms by age nine.
    He was appointed to the Chair of Theoretical Physics at the University of Leiden at age 25 (a young age to be named a professor, much less a chair).
    During his funeral, the state telegraph and telephone services were suspended for three minutes in tribute.
    Albert Einstein said, 'Everything that emanated from his supremely great mind was as clear and beautiful as a great work of art.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 30.77% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 156 Votes: 49.36% Annoying