American mathematical physicist J. Willard Gibbs died #OTD in 1903.
Gibbs' most celebrated contributions were in the field of thermodynamics, particularly concerning the phase rule, chemical potential, and Gibbs free energy—a concept named after him. The Gibbs free energy is particularly critical in predicting the direction of chemical reactions and phase changes. His book, "Elementary Principles in Statistical Mechanics," laid the foundation for modern statistical mechanics.
"One of the principal objects of theoretical research is to find the point of view from which the subject appears in the greatest simplicity."
From Gibbs's letter accepting the Rumford Medal (1881). Quoted in A. L. Mackay, Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (London, 1994).
~Josiah Willard Gibbs (February 11 1839 – April 28 1903)
"One of the principal objects of theoretical research is to find the point of view from which the subject appears in the greatest simplicity."
From Gibbs's letter accepting the Rumford Medal (1881). Quoted in A. L. Mackay, Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (London, 1994).
~Josiah Willard Gibbs (February 11 1839 – April 28 1903)
@gutenberg_org he's also the one who first reduced Maxwell's equations from 30 down to the 4 that are typically considered the modern form
@gutenberg_org he's also the one who first reduced Maxwell's equations from 30 down to the 4 that are typically considered the modern form
