Physics is a branch of science that is potentially thousands of years old. Since time began, and human beings appeared on this Earth, people have tried to figure out how planet Earth and the universe work. As a result, there are hundreds and hundreds of physicists who have contributed to their field in significant ways, and it would be nearly impossible to cite each one, along with their contributions, here. Therefore, I give you a few of some of the most famous and influential physicists of all time.
• Galileo Galilei 1564-1642
Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist and an incredibly influential thinker of his time. Among his contributions to the field of physics are significant improvements to the design of early telescopes, astronomical discoveries such as the craters of the moon and four moons of Jupiter, the study of sunspots and the invention of numerous important devices still used today, such as the military compass.
• Isaac Newton 1643-1727
Isaac Newton was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, and is credited with hypothesizing the laws of gravitation. The three laws of motion, concerning velocity, acceleration and action and reaction, are also attributed to Isaac Newton, due to his work in the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematca. Newton and his work in the fields of mathematics and physics is regarded to be some of the most influential in the history of the fields.
• Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790
Benjamin Franklin is regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States due to his role as a politician, activist and physicist. A number of inventions are attributed to Benjamin Franklin, including the Franklin stove, the lightning rod and bifocals. He was also the first to distinguish the difference between positive and negative charges of electricity, and name them thus. He has also had a great deal of influence on the fields of meteorology and refrigeration techniques.
• Galileo Galilei 1564-1642
Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist and an incredibly influential thinker of his time. Among his contributions to the field of physics are significant improvements to the design of early telescopes, astronomical discoveries such as the craters of the moon and four moons of Jupiter, the study of sunspots and the invention of numerous important devices still used today, such as the military compass.
• Isaac Newton 1643-1727
Isaac Newton was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, and is credited with hypothesizing the laws of gravitation. The three laws of motion, concerning velocity, acceleration and action and reaction, are also attributed to Isaac Newton, due to his work in the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematca. Newton and his work in the fields of mathematics and physics is regarded to be some of the most influential in the history of the fields.
• Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790
Benjamin Franklin is regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States due to his role as a politician, activist and physicist. A number of inventions are attributed to Benjamin Franklin, including the Franklin stove, the lightning rod and bifocals. He was also the first to distinguish the difference between positive and negative charges of electricity, and name them thus. He has also had a great deal of influence on the fields of meteorology and refrigeration techniques.
