Contents
Paul Ehrenfest
The theoretical physicist whose work connected statistical mechanics, quantum theory and classical motion.
Statistical mechanics survey · Ehrenfest theorem
- Born
- 18 January 1880
- Birthplace
- Austria / Netherlands
- Died
- 25 September 1933
More people
Paul Ehrenfest
Paul Ehrenfest was known for clarifying difficult physical ideas and for demanding scientific discussion. His teaching and collaborations made Leiden an important meeting place for theoretical physics.
Early life
Vienna
Grew up in a family of shopkeepers.
Training
Studied with Ludwig Boltzmann and continued his education in Göttingen.
Career
- 1904
Doctorate
Completed his physics doctorate in Vienna.
- 1912
Leiden
Succeeded Hendrik Lorentz as professor.
- 1920s
Quantum research
Worked on the relationship between emerging quantum theory and classical physics.
Contributions
Statistical mechanics survey
Co-authored an influential treatment with Tatiana Ehrenfest.
Ehrenfest theorem
Relates quantum expectation values to classical equations of motion.
Phase transitions
Proposed a classification of thermodynamic transitions.
Beyond the lab
Collaboration
His wife Tatiana Afanasyeva was a mathematician and scientific collaborator.
Death
In 1933 he killed his son Wassik and then himself.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Career and work — lorentz.leidenuniv.nl ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
