Gustav Hertz

Gustav Ludwig Hertz was born on July 22, 1887, in Hamburg, Germany. He was a German physicist noted for his work on the quantum mechanics and atomic physics, for which he later won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Hertz was the nephew of the famous physicist Heinrich Hertz, who first conclusively proved the existence of electromagnetic waves.

Gustav Hertz obtained his doctorate in physics from the University of Berlin in 1911. His initial research focused on experimental physics, and his early work set the stage for his collaboration with James Franck, which eventually led to their Nobel-winning experiments that explored electron collisions in gases.

In 1914, Gustav Hertz and James Franck conducted an experiment that later became known as the Franck-Hertz experiment. This pivotal experiment provided the first experimental verification of Niels Bohr's model of the atom. Through their work, they were able to demonstrate that electrons can only occupy certain discrete energy levels.

After World War I, Gustav Hertz became a professor at the University of Halle in 1920. During his tenure, he continued his research into atomic physics, focusing on the collision processes of atoms with electrons, advancing the foundational principles of quantum mechanics.

Gustav Hertz, alongside James Franck, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1925 for their discovery of the laws governing the impact of an electron upon an atom. The Franck-Hertz experiment confirmed the existence of discrete energy levels in atoms, supporting Niels Bohr's model of the atom and providing a foundation for quantum theory.

In 1935, Gustav Hertz took on the role of director at the research laboratory of Siemens, one of Germany's largest technology companies. His work there focused on the development of gas-discharge lamps and studying isotopes, leveraging his expertise in atomic physics in industrial applications.

After World War II in October 1945, Gustav Hertz moved to the Soviet Union where he worked on atomic research for the Soviet government. His relocation was part of Operation Osoaviakhim, during which many German scientists were recruited to aid in the Soviet atomic program.

In 1949, Gustav Hertz returned to Germany and became the director of the Physics Institute at the University of Leipzig. He took this position after working in the Soviet Union, where he had contributed to their atomic research programs, and continued his research in atomic physics until his retirement.

Gustav Hertz passed away on January 22, 1961, in East Berlin. He left behind a legacy of significant contributions to physics, particularly in the understanding of atomic structure and quantum mechanics through experiments like the Franck-Hertz experiment, which provided empirical validation for Bohr’s atomic model.