Pyotr Kapitsa

Explore the timeline of Pyotr Kapitsa, a pioneering Soviet physicist who made significant contributions to low-temperature physics and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1978. This timeline highlights key events in Kapitsa's life, including his education, scientific discoveries, and the challenges he faced during his career in the Soviet Union.

Born: July 08, 1894
Physicist
Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology

8 juli 1894

1 januari 1921

1 januari 1928

1 januari 1934

1 januari 1938

1 januari 1946

10 oktober 1978

8 april 1984

08juli
1894
08 July 1894

Birth of Pyotr Kapitsa

Pyotr Kapitsa was born on July 8, 1894, in Kronstadt, Russia. He was the son of a military engineer and displayed an early aptitude for science and mathematics. Kapitsa would go on to become one of the most prominent physicists of the 20th century, known for his groundbreaking work in low-temperature physics and his contributions to the understanding of strong magnetic fields.

01januari
1921
01 January 1921

Kapitsa Moves to the Cavendish Laboratory

In 1921, Pyotr Kapitsa moved to the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge to work with Ernest Rutherford. Here, he made significant contributions to the study of atomic physics and became known for his work on magnetic fields and low temperature phenomena. He was appointed assistant director of magnetic research in 1924 and collaborated extensively with other leading scientists.

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01januari
1928
01 January 1928

Discovery of Strong Magnetic Fields

In 1928, Kapitsa discovered how to create very strong magnetic fields through a method known as the Kapitsa method. This discovery was important for physics, as strong magnetic fields can be used to study and influence electrons' behavior in materials. This work at the Cavendish Laboratory cemented Kapitsa's reputation as a leading physicist in the field of electromagnetism.

01januari
1934
01 January 1934

Kapitsa Returns to the Soviet Union

In 1934, Pyotr Kapitsa was ordered by the Soviet government to return from England to the Soviet Union. While the move was initially against his will, he continued his research after the establishment of the Institute for Physical Problems. There, he developed new cryogenic equipment for producing liquid helium, continuing his important work in low temperature physics despite the political pressures.

01januari
1938
01 January 1938

Superfluidity of Liquid Helium Discovered

In 1938, Pyotr Kapitsa discovered the phenomenon of superfluidity in liquid helium. This was a groundbreaking achievement in the field of low-temperature physics. Superfluidity is a phase of matter with zero viscosity, allowing it to flow without dissipating energy. This discovery has numerous applications and implications for quantum mechanics and solid-state physics.

01januari
1946
01 January 1946

Kapitsa's Conflict with Soviet Authorities

By 1946, Pyotr Kapitsa found himself in conflict with the Soviet authorities, particularly due to his insistence on maintaining academic freedom and his resistance to the government's interference in scientific work. Because of this, he faced restrictions, including having all his facilities taken away from him, temporarily halting his research activities. Despite these challenges, Kapitsa remained a prominent figure in Soviet science.

10oktober
1978
10 October 1978

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics

On October 10, 1978, Pyotr Kapitsa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his fundamental inventions and discoveries in the area of low-temperature physics, particularly his work on superfluidity. The Nobel recognized his decades of pioneering research, cementing his legacy as one of the stellar physicists of the 20th century. His work facilitated advancements in both theoretical and applied physics.

08april
1984
08 April 1984

Death of Pyotr Kapitsa

Pyotr Kapitsa passed away on April 8, 1984, in Moscow, Russia. His passing marked the end of an era in the field of low-temperature physics, where his contributions had fundamentally reshaped understanding and opened new research avenues. Kapitsa's legacy lives on in the numerous scientific advancements built upon his discoveries.

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