Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday was an English chemist and physicist who lived from 1791 to 1867. He made big discoveries in how electricity and magnetism work. Even though he didn't have much schooling, he became one of the most important scientists ever.

Faraday discovered how to make electricity from magnets, which helped create the first electric motors. He also found new chemicals and made tools that scientists still use today. His ideas helped people understand how the world works with invisible forces.

Many famous scientists admired Faraday. One even put his picture on a wall with the greatest thinkers in history. Faraday cared about helping people and refused to make weapons, choosing to use his knowledge for good instead.

Biography

Michael Faraday was born on 22 September 1791 in Newington Butts, Surrey, now part of the London Borough of Southwark. His family did not have much money. He only had a basic school education and had to teach himself most of what he knew.

At 14, Faraday began working for a bookbinder and bookseller. During this time, he read many books and became very interested in science, especially electricity. In 1812, at the age of 20, he attended lectures by the famous chemist Humphry Davy and later sent him a book of notes. Davy liked the book and hired Faraday as an assistant. Faraday married Sarah Barnard in 1821, and they had no children.

Faraday made many important discoveries in science. He turned down a knighthood and other honors because of his religious beliefs. In 1858, he retired to a house in Hampton Court, where he lived until he passed away on 25 August 1867 at the age of 75.

Scientific achievements

Chemistry

Michael Faraday worked with a scientist named Humphry Davy. He studied chlorine and discovered new compounds made from chlorine and carbon. He also did early experiments showing how gases spread out, which was later studied more by other scientists.

Faraday made an early version of the Bunsen burner, a tool still used today in science labs to create heat. He discovered benzene, a chemical substance, and found ways to turn gases into liquids. His work helped show that gases are just liquids with very low boiling points.

Electricity and magnetism

Faraday is most famous for his work with electricity and magnetism. He built a simple device using coins, zinc, and salt water to create an electric current. This was his first step into understanding how electricity works.

After another scientist discovered that electricity and magnetism were connected, Faraday created the first device that could spin continuously using this connection. This invention laid the groundwork for modern technology using electromagnetism.

Later, Faraday discovered that moving a magnet near a wire could create an electric current in the wire. This important finding helped lead to the development of generators and electric motors that we use today.

Diamagnetism

In his later work, Faraday found that many materials push away from magnetic fields a little bit. He called this effect diamagnetism.

He also discovered that a magnetic field could change the way light behaves. This idea was proven years later by another scientist named Pieter Zeeman.

Faraday cage

Faraday also showed that a metal box could protect things inside from electricity. This idea is used today in what we call a Faraday cage, which shields electronic devices from static electricity.

Royal Institution and public service

Michael Faraday worked closely with the Royal Institution of Great Britain for many years. He started as Assistant Superintendent of the House in 1821 and later became Director of the Laboratory in 1825. In 1833, he was appointed the first Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, a role he held for life without having to give lectures.

Faraday used his time to help with many important projects. He studied coal mine explosions and showed how better air flow could stop them. He also helped build lighthouses and protect ships from rust. He gave talks to share science with young people and the public, making learning fun and exciting. His lectures covered topics like chemistry and electricity, aiming to inspire others to think deeply about how things work.

Commemorations

See also: List of things named after Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday is remembered in many places. There is a statue of him in London, and a special memorial near where he was born. Schools, parks, and streets around the world are named after him. Universities in many countries have buildings named in his honor.

Faraday appeared on British money and stamps, showing how important he was to science. He was also picked as one of the greatest people in British history by a public vote. His ideas continue to inspire scientists and students today.

Awards named in Faraday's honour

Many institutions have created special prizes and awards to remember Michael Faraday’s important work in science. These include:

• The IET Faraday Medal
• The Royal Society of London Michael Faraday Prize
• The Institute of Physics Michael Faraday Medal and Prize
• The Royal Society of Chemistry Faraday Lectureship Prize