Arthur Compton Quotes

A collection of quotes by Arthur Compton.

Arthur Compton (1892-1962) was an American physicist known for his significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics and his pioneering work in the study of X-ray scattering phenomena. Born on September 10, 1892, in Wooster, Ohio, Compton demonstrated early scientific aptitude and earned his Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University in 1916.

During World War I, Compton played a crucial role in the design and development of magnetic aerial mines, contributing to the Allied effort. After the war, he joined the faculty of Washington University in St. Louis, where he conducted his groundbreaking research on X-ray scattering, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927.

Compton's discovery of the Compton effect, a phenomenon in which X-rays scatter off electrons, confirmed the particle-like nature of electromagnetic radiation. His findings provided strong experimental evidence for the dual wave-particle nature of light, supporting the emerging theory of quantum mechanics.

Apart from his scientific endeavors, Compton also had a deep interest in education. He served as Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis from 1945 to 1953 and later became the first chairman of the National Science Foundation. Compton's relentless pursuit of knowledge and his numerous contributions to the field of physics make him one of the pioneering figures in the exploration of quantum mechanics and the understanding of electromagnetic radiation.