Ludwig Boltzmann Biography

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World of Scientific Discovery on Ludwig Boltzmann

Boltzmann played an important role in the acceptance of thermodynamic theories, particularly the second law of thermodynamics. He is given equal credit with James Clerk Maxwell for the discovery of the kinetic theory of gases. In addition, he developed methods for exploring mechanics and physics, and he is generally recognized as the founder of statistical mechanics.

Boltzmann was born in Vienna and was educated in Vienna and Linz, attending college at the University of Vienna. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1866, he was appointed to numerous professorial posts, mostly between the universities of Vienna and Graz.

While still a student, Boltzmann became interested in the newly developed fields of mechanics and thermodynamics. Boltzmann wrote his first paper on Maxwell's kinetic theories in 1859 and continued to research in this field for years; sometimes he responded to Maxwell 's work, sometimes he extended it, always offering new insight.

It was also during his student years that Boltzmann developed his first landmark theory, the Boltzmann constant, which is part of an exponential formula that relates the average energy within a molecule to its temperature. Initially designed to describe molecular distribution, the Boltzmann constant has since become a fundamental tool in almost every statistical formula used in physics.

Gaining notoriety among the European scientific community, Boltzmann turned his attention toward the concept of entropy, first developed by Rudolf Clausius. As described by Clausius, entropy is the inevitable transformation of energy into unusable heat. Boltzmann saw this transformation as a function of increasing disorder, and he sought to represent it mathematically. In 1877 he developed the equation S=k log W to describe the tendency of any gas to eventually reach equilibrium. When applied to energy and nature, it is the strongest mathematical proof for entropy.

While at the University of Vienna, Boltzmann had studied under Josef Stefan (1835-1893), an Austrian physicist who had advanced certain theories on radiation. In particular, Stefan was concerned with the nature of black body radiation. (A black body is a purely theoretical object that is both a perfect absorber and a perfect emitter of radiation.) He had determined that the energy radiated from a black body was proportional to the fourth power of its temperature. As he had done with entropy, Boltzmann applied his mathematical expertise to Stefan's findings, developing a formulaic proof. This black body law is now more commonly referred to as the Stefan-Boltzmann law.

Probably his most influential contribution was related to the study of atomic motion. Boltzmann proposed that the properties of matter can be understood by observing the cumulative properties of the atoms within. This theory led to a broader science called statistical mechanics, in which macroscopic properties are determined through probability. He quickly claimed that such an approach was the only way to truly understand the process of entropy. Boltzmann's work in this field was later advanced by Max Planck and Josiah Willard Gibbs.

Boltzmann was one of the chief proponents of the theory of " atomism," a theory which claimed that all matter was made up of atoms. In the 1890s an opposing school of thought called " energeticism" arose, which was championed by Wilhelm Ostwald, who frequently engaged Boltzmann in bitter debates. Though Boltzmann enjoyed international fame, lecturing at universities across Europe and the United States, the "atomism vs. energeticism" dispute took a heavy toll on him. Twice he attempted suicide: unsuccessfully in 1900, successfully in 1906. Ironically, the discovery of Brownian motion, which proved the existence of atoms and quelled the atomism-energeticism debate, came shortly after his death.

Boltzmann is remembered for his ability to prove mathematically and irrefutably prove the experimental theories of others. His famous equation S=k log W is engraved upon his headstone in Austria.