Carl David Anderson - Scientists, Birthday and Childhood
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Carl David Anderson's Personal Details
Carl David Anderson was an American physicist known for the discovery of positron
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | September 3, 1905 |
| Died on | January 11, 1991 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Scientists, Physicists |
| Spouses | Lorraine Bergman |
| Childrens | Marshall and David |
| Discoveries / Inventions |
|
| Birth Place | New York City, New York, USA |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Carl David Anderson |
| Mother | Emma Adolfina Ajaxson |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Born in | New York City, New York, USA |
| Famous as | Physicist |
| Died at Age | 85 |
// Famous Scientists
Carl David Anderson's photo
Who is Carl David Anderson?
Carl David Anderson was a renowned American physicists, who is best remembered for the discovery of positron in 1932. Born to Swedish immigrant parents, Anderson showed a knack for science from an early age. After completing his preliminary education, he enrolled at the California Institute of Technology for higher studies. His association with the institution remained life-long as first he earned his academic degrees from the same and later continued his research work at it. It was during his academic and research career at Caltech that he began his cosmic ray studies which eventually led to the discovery of positron. The discovery was important for the advancement of physics as positron became the first antimatter to be discovered. Later on, he carried out further research that led to the discovery of muon, a subatomic particle. For his discovery of positron, he was conferred with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1936. Additionally, he was honoured with several other scientific awards as well.
// Famous Physicists
Childhood & Early Life
Carl David Anderson was born to Swedish immigrant parents, Carl David Anderson and Emma Adolfina Ajaxson, in New York City on September 3, 1905.
Academically brilliant, he completed his preliminary education from Los Angeles Polytechnic High School and later enrolled at the California Institute of Technology. He graduated in 1927 with a BSc degree in Physics and Engineering. Three years later, he was awarded PhD degree. He completed his thesis on the space distribution of photoelectrons ejected from various gases by X-rays.
Career
Completing his doctoral studies, he started working as a research fellow at the California Institute of Technology which he continued for three years from 1930 to 1933.
Meanwhile it was in 1930 that together with Professor Robert Millikan he began the cosmic ray studies. It was during his study that he discovered unexpected particle tracks in his cloud chamber by taking photographs. He correctly interpreted them as having been created by a particle with the same mass as the electron, but with opposite electrical charge.
In 1932, this discovery was finally validated by the theories of Paul Dirac and led to the discovery of the existence of positron. The discovery of positron was an important advancement in physics, as the positron was the first particle of antimatter to be discovered.
Following year, together with Dr. Neddermeyer, he obtained the first direct proof that gamma rays from ThC’’ generate positrons in their passage through material substances. He shot gamma rays into other materials, which resulted in the creation of positron electron pairs.
In 1933, he took up the position of Assistant Professorship in Physics, which he served for six years after which he was promoted to the position of Professor of Physics.
In 1936, he and Neddermeyer discovered the muon, a subatomic particle which was 207 times more massive than electron, but with the same negative electric charge and spin 1/2 as the electron, again in cosmic rays. The muon was amongst the first subatomic particles discovered.
During World War II, he conducted research for an artillery rocket project for the U.S. Navy. For the same, he visited France to observe how the rockets fared in a real combat situation.
Till the end of his life, he continued his research work on radiation and fundamental particles. Most of his discoveries have been published in ‘Physical Review’ and ‘Science’.
Awards & Achievements
In 1936, he was awarded Nobel Prize for his discovery of positron. He shared the same with Victor Franz Hess, who too had made an important discovery in cosmic radiation.
In 1945, he was conferred with the prestigious Presidential Certificate of Merit. He was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1950.
In 1976, he was named Professor Emeritus at Caltech.
Other highly esteemed and prolific scientific awards and honors won by him include Gold Medal of the American Institute of City of New York, Sc.D. of Colgate University, Elliott Cresson Medal of the Franklin Institute, LL.D. Temple University and John Ericsson Medal of the American Society of Swedish Engineers
Personal Life & Legacy
He tied the nuptial knot with Lorraine Bergman in 1946. The couple was blessed with two sons, Marshall and David. Lorraine passed away in 1984.
He breathed his last on January 11, 1991. His remains were later interred in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. He was survived by two children and two grandchildren.
// Famous American
Carl David Anderson awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| Nobel Prize in Physics (1936) | ||
| Elliott Cresson Medal (1937) | ||
Carl David Anderson biography timelines
- // 3rd Sep 1905Carl David Anderson was born to Swedish immigrant parents, Carl David Anderson and Emma Adolfina Ajaxson, in New York City on September 3, 1905.
- // 1927Academically brilliant, he completed his preliminary education from Los Angeles Polytechnic High School and later enrolled at the California Institute of Technology. He graduated in 1927 with a BSc degree in Physics and Engineering. Three years later, he was awarded PhD degree. He completed his thesis on the space distribution of photoelectrons ejected from various gases by X-rays.
- // 1930 To 1933Completing his doctoral studies, he started working as a research fellow at the California Institute of Technology which he continued for three years from 1930 to 1933.
- // 1930Meanwhile it was in 1930 that together with Professor Robert Millikan he began the cosmic ray studies. It was during his study that he discovered unexpected particle tracks in his cloud chamber by taking photographs. He correctly interpreted them as having been created by a particle with the same mass as the electron, but with opposite electrical charge.
- // 1932In 1932, this discovery was finally validated by the theories of Paul Dirac and led to the discovery of the existence of positron. The discovery of positron was an important advancement in physics, as the positron was the first particle of antimatter to be discovered.
- // 1933In 1933, he took up the position of Assistant Professorship in Physics, which he served for six years after which he was promoted to the position of Professor of Physics.
- // 1936In 1936, he and Neddermeyer discovered the muon, a subatomic particle which was 207 times more massive than electron, but with the same negative electric charge and spin 1/2 as the electron, again in cosmic rays. The muon was amongst the first subatomic particles discovered.
- // 1936In 1936, he was awarded Nobel Prize for his discovery of positron. He shared the same with Victor Franz Hess, who too had made an important discovery in cosmic radiation.
- // 1945In 1945, he was conferred with the prestigious Presidential Certificate of Merit. He was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1950.
- // 1946He tied the nuptial knot with Lorraine Bergman in 1946. The couple was blessed with two sons, Marshall and David. Lorraine passed away in 1984.
- // 1976In 1976, he was named Professor Emeritus at Caltech.
- // 11th Jan 1991He breathed his last on January 11, 1991. His remains were later interred in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. He was survived by two children and two grandchildren.
// Virgo Celebrities
Carl David Anderson's FAQ
What is Carl David Anderson birthday?
Carl David Anderson was born at 1905-09-03
When was Carl David Anderson died?
Carl David Anderson was died at 1991-01-11
Where was Carl David Anderson died?
Carl David Anderson was died in San Marino, California, USA
Which age was Carl David Anderson died?
Carl David Anderson was died at age 85
Where is Carl David Anderson's birth place?
Carl David Anderson was born in New York City, New York, USA
What is Carl David Anderson nationalities?
Carl David Anderson's nationalities is American
Who is Carl David Anderson spouses?
Carl David Anderson's spouses is Lorraine Bergman
Who is Carl David Anderson childrens?
Carl David Anderson's childrens is Marshall and David
What is Carl David Anderson's inventions/discoveries?
Discovery Of The Positron, Discovery Of The Muon was invented (or discovered) by Carl David Anderson
Who is Carl David Anderson's father?
Carl David Anderson's father is Carl David Anderson
Who is Carl David Anderson's mother?
Carl David Anderson's mother is Emma Adolfina Ajaxson
What is Carl David Anderson's sun sign?
Carl David Anderson is Virgo
How famous is Carl David Anderson?
Carl David Anderson is famouse as Physicist