Pyotr Nikolaevich Lebedev
Encyclopedia
Pyotr Nikolaevich Lebedev was a Russian physicist
.
He made his doctoral degree in Strasbourg
under the supervision of August Kundt
in 1887–1891. In 1891 he started working in Moscow State University
in the group of Alexander Stoletov
. There he made his famous experimental studies of electromagnetic waves. He was the first to measure the pressure of light
on a solid body in 1899. The discovery was announced at the World Physics Congress in Paris
in 1900, and became the first quantitative confirmation of Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism
. In 1901 he became a professor of Moscow State University, however he quit the University in 1911, protesting against the politics of the Ministry of Education. In the same year he received an invitation to become a professor in Stockholm
, which he rejected. He died the next year.
The Lebedev Physical Institute
in Moscow and the lunar crater Lebedev
are named after him.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
.
He made his doctoral degree in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
under the supervision of August Kundt
August Kundt
August Adolf Eduard Eberhard Kundt was a German physicist.-Biography:Kundt was born at Schwerin in Mecklenburg. He began his scientific studies at Leipzig, but afterwards went to Berlin University. At first he devoted himself to astronomy, but coming under the influence of H. G...
in 1887–1891. In 1891 he started working in Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
in the group of Alexander Stoletov
Aleksandr Stoletov
Aleksandr Grigorievich Stoletov was a Russian physicist, founder of electrical engineering, and professor in Moscow University. He was the brother of general Nikolai Stoletov.-Biography:...
. There he made his famous experimental studies of electromagnetic waves. He was the first to measure the pressure of light
Radiation pressure
Radiation pressure is the pressure exerted upon any surface exposed to electromagnetic radiation. If absorbed, the pressure is the power flux density divided by the speed of light...
on a solid body in 1899. The discovery was announced at the World Physics Congress in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1900, and became the first quantitative confirmation of Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism
Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations are a set of partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electrodynamics, classical optics, and electric circuits. These fields in turn underlie modern electrical and communications technologies.Maxwell's equations...
. In 1901 he became a professor of Moscow State University, however he quit the University in 1911, protesting against the politics of the Ministry of Education. In the same year he received an invitation to become a professor in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, which he rejected. He died the next year.
The Lebedev Physical Institute
Lebedev Physical Institute
The Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences , situated in Moscow, is one of the leading Russian research institutes specializing in physics. It is also one of the oldest research institutions in Russia: its history dates back to a collection of physics equipment established by...
in Moscow and the lunar crater Lebedev
Lebedev (crater)
Lebedev is a crater on the far side of the Moon. It is located at the eastern edge of the irregular feature known as Mare Australe. The crater lies to the southeast of the larger, flooded Lamb, and to the east-northeast of Anuchin...
are named after him.
See also
- Pyotr Lebedev (research vessel)Pyotr Lebedev (research vessel)Pyotr Lebedev was a research vessel operated by the Soviet Union. The vessel was owned and operated by the Andreev Acoustics Institute, and was used to make hydrophysical observations of the Atlantic Ocean such as during the Polygon experiment...