Pieter Zeeman, a Dutch physicist, is renowned for his groundbreaking discovery of the Zeeman Effect, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics. Despite growing up in a small village on a Dutch island, Zeeman’s passion for science was evident from a young age. Even as a student, he demonstrated his scientific prowess by submitting an illustration on the phenomenon of Aurora Borealis to a magazine. Zeeman’s academic journey led him to the University of Leiden, where he studied and taught before becoming a professor at the University of Amsterdam. Throughout his career, he collaborated closely with the esteemed scientist Hendrik Lorentz, both as a doctoral student and as a leading physicist. Zeeman’s remarkable achievements with the Zeeman Effect established him as one of the most prominent scientists of his time, with his research serving as the foundation for numerous future studies in the field.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 78
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Johanna Elisabeth Lebret, father: Catharinus Forandinus Zeeman, mother: Willemina Worst.
- Physicists
- Dutch Men
- Died on: October 9, 1943
- Place of death: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Discoveries/inventions: Zeeman Effect.
- More Facts
- Education: Leiden University
- Awards: 1902 – Nobel Prize for Physics, 1912 – Matteucci Medal, 1921 – Henry Draper Medal
Childhood & Early Life
Pieter Zeeman was born on 25 May 1865 in a small village in the Netherlands. His father was a clergyman in the village. Zeeman showed a deep interest in the sciences from a young age and created an illustration of the Aurora Borealis that was published in a scientific journal when he was just 18 years old. After completing high school, he went to Delft to learn classical languages, which was a requirement for university.
Education and Career
After completing his training in classical languages, Zeeman enrolled at the University of Leiden in 1885. He studied physics under renowned physicists such as Hendrik Lorentz and eventually became Lorentz’s assistant. In 1893, Zeeman presented his doctoral thesis on the Kerr effect and was awarded his doctorate. He then spent some time at the Friedrich Kohlrausch Institute in Strasbourg before returning to the University of Leiden as a senior researcher and teacher.
Zeeman Effect and Nobel Prize
In 1896, Zeeman conducted experiments on spectral lines, which became the foundation of his scientific career. Despite being fired from the University of Leiden for violating orders, his research on spectral lines gained recognition from eminent scientists, including his mentor Hendrik Lorentz. In 1897, Zeeman was appointed as a lecturer of physics at the University of Amsterdam and was later promoted to professor. In his fifth year at the university, Zeeman shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Lorentz for their work on the Zeeman Effect.
Later Career and Contributions
In 1908, Zeeman became the Director of the Institute of Physics in Amsterdam. He continued to conduct advanced research throughout his career, publishing papers on gravitation and Magneto-optics. He also served as the Secretary of the Mathematical-Physical Section at the Royal Academy of Sciences for 8 years. Zeeman’s most significant contribution was his work on spectral lines, which became known as the Zeeman Effect.
Major Works and Awards
Pieter Zeeman’s most notable work was his discovery of the Zeeman Effect, for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1902 with Hendrik Lorentz. He also received other prestigious awards, including the Matteucci Medal in 1912, the Henry Draper Medal in 1921, the Rumford Medal from the Royal Society in 1922, and the Franklin Medal from the Franklin Institute in 1925.
Personal Life and Legacy
In 1895, Zeeman married Johanna Elisabeth Lebret, and they had four children together. Pieter Zeeman passed away in Amsterdam on 9 October 1943 at the age of 78.