Hans Christian Orested
By: Allyson Csukker
Biography
When he was born: August 14, 1777
Where he lived and worked: Rudkobing on the island of Langeland, Denmark
His Profession: Physics
Interesting facts: He and his brother, Anders, were home schooled until 1793 when they entered the University of Copenhagen. In 1822 he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Discoveries
Idea/discovery: Electromagnetism
Explain: while conducting experiments and performing classroom demonstrations for the benefit of his university students
When: In the spring of 1820
How: Ørsted placed an electrically charged wire near a compass, causing the needle on the compass to swerve, deflected at a right angle. The observation of this phenomenon clearly established a relationship between magnetism and electricity, and through a series of subsequent experiments Ørsted became the first to identify the force of electromagnetism.
Inventions: Aluminum
Explain: Many chemists who came before Ørsted thought it existed but failed in their attempts to actually uncover it. He was the first to successfully distinguish it from other chemical compounds and positively identify and extract it as a unique element.
When: Five years after discovering electromagnetism Ørsted made a monumental find in the field of chemistry, when he became the first person to capture the element aluminum.
Hans Christian Orested
Impact
What did he change about the understanding of electricity?
How did society react?
Why?
When?