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George Stokes

Mathematician and Physicist George Stokes

Profession: Mathematician and Physicist

Nationality:
Ireland
Irish

Biography: George Stokes was an influential Irish mathematician and physicist who made substantial contributions to a variety of fields, including fluid dynamics, optics, and mathematical physics. His work in fluid dynamics led to the development of the Navier-Stokes equations, which are crucial to understanding the behavior of fluids in motion and continue to be a central topic in contemporary research.

In the realm of optics, Stokes made significant strides in understanding the nature and behavior of light. He investigated the phenomenon of fluorescence, which occurs when certain substances absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light. This discovery led to the development of fluorescence microscopy, a technique widely used in biology and medicine.

Born: August 13, 1819
Birthplace: Skreen, County Sligo, Ireland
Star Sign: Leo

Died: February 1, 1903 (aged 83)