Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was a British physicist and chemist who made important contributions to electricity and magnetism, in addition to being one of the greatest experimental scientists in history. He was born on September 22, 1791, in Newington, England, into a poor family.
Beginning of Michael Faraday’s Career
Faraday received little formal education and began working as a bookbinder’s apprentice when he was only 14 years old. During this time, he developed a great interest in science and began attending scientific lectures whenever possible. In 1812, Faraday got a job as an assistant to Humphry Davy, the famous British chemist. Davy was a major influence in Faraday’s life and encouraged his scientific interests. Faraday worked for Davy for several years and became one of his closest collaborators.
Experiments with Electricity and Magnetism
In 1821, Faraday began conducting experiments with electricity and magnetism and discovered electromagnetic induction. He showed that a moving magnetic field could produce an electric current in a nearby circuit. This discovery was an important milestone in the history of electricity and paved the way for the development of electrical generators.
Michael Faraday also discovered the phenomenon of diamagnetism, in which certain materials are repelled by magnetic fields. Furthermore, he discovered the laws of electrolysis, which establish the relationship between electric current and the amount of substance produced or consumed in a chemical reaction.
Faraday also studied the nature of light and discovered that light polarization could be produced by magnetic fields. He also conducted research on the nature of diamond and showed that it is composed entirely of carbon.
In 1831, Faraday was elected a member of the Royal Society of London, and in 1833, he was appointed director of the Royal Institution. He also received many honors throughout Europe and was decorated by the British government.
Faraday continued to make important contributions to science until the end of his life. He died on August 25, 1867, in Hampton Court, England, after a long battle with illness.
Faraday’s work influenced many scientists who came after him, including James Clerk Maxwell, who used Faraday’s ideas to formulate the equations of electromagnetism. Faraday is remembered as one of the greatest experimental scientists in history, and his influence on physics and chemistry continues to be felt to this day.
