Profession: Theoretical Physicist and Pioneer of Quantum Mechanics
Biography: Werner Heisenberg was a German physicist best known for his pioneering work in the field of quantum mechanics. He is further known for the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which asserts a fundamental limit to the accuracy with which we can provide a value for certain pairs of physical properties.
This work led to Heisenberg receiving the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics, which was given to him specifically "for the creation of quantum mechanics." Quantum mechanics, however, was not the only field in which Heisenberg made important contributions.
He was also one of the lead scientists in the German nuclear weapons program during World War II. Following this, in 1957 he also played an essential role in the development of the first German nuclear reactor.
Born: December 5, 1901
Birthplace: Würzburg, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Sagittarius
Died: February 1, 1976 (aged 74)
Cause of Death: Kidney cancer
Historical Events
- 1941-09-17 Famous meeting between Danish physicist Niels Bohr and German head of nuclear energy project Werner Heisenberg in Copenhagen to discuss nuclear weapons (date approximate)
- 1942-02-26 Werner Heisenberg, a principal scientist in the German nuclear weapons program, delivers a lecture to Nazi officials about extracting energy from nuclear fission
- 1945-05-03 Allies arrest German physicist Werner Heisenberg
Quotes by Werner Heisenberg
- "An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them."
Alfred Wegener
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Henri Becquerel
John William Strutt
Niels Bohr
Stanislaw Ulam