Richard Feynman: It's A Small World
by Enrico Mejia
Feynman's Childhood
The Start of the Fire
Hardship and Struggles
Feynman's Great Contributions: The Atom Bomb, QFT and the Birth of Nanotechnology
Feynman was famously known for creating the Quantum field theory. According to Kuhlnmann,"Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is the mathematical and conceptual framework for contemporary elementary particle physics. In a rather informal sense QFT is the extension of quantum mechanics." To know how his Quantum Field Theory contributed greatly to the scientific world, a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics is first needed to be known. Quantum mechanics are laws that atoms, light waves, electrons follow. They differ from the laws of physics like gravity because these "small" things have their own set of rules. Basically, the Quantum Field Theory is a theory made by Feynman to explain the physics of tiny subatomic particles and how they react to force fields.
Lastly, Feynman is considered the father of nanotechnology, note the prefix. His ideas behind the manipulation of atoms and particles paved the way for it's uprising use in from medicine, electronics, and nanotechnology. An example of it's application in medicine (which is still developing) would be the ability for doctors to create nano particles to deliver substances and target a specific cell (like a cancer cell). He produced the concepts of nano science and nanotechnology at an American Physical Society meeting titled, "There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom." In his concepts, he described a process where scientists could control and manipulate the atoms and molecules, individually. To be able to come up with ideas and concepts to control and manipulate an atom individually was an almost unthinkable task. This was the case until in 1981 when the development of the scanning tunneling microscope began symbolizing man's first step to the "little" world.
The Manhattan Project's Atomic Bomb in Full Glory
Feynman's Quantum Field Theory
How Studying Small Things Can Lead to Smaller Things
Richard Feynman's Educational Comedy
Awards
- Albert Einstein Award (1945, Princeton)
- Einstein Award(Albert Einstein Award College of Medicine)
- Lawrence Award (1962)
- Nobel Prize in Physics (1965)
Nanotechnology: How Feyman is The Most Influential Scientist in History
He continued working on what was left of Quantum physics, and made it make sense with his theory. His ideas and works has led us to focusing not only on the big picture, but tiny details which is now called nanotechnology. This was probably his greatest contribution due to the fact that without his intensive study on subatomic particles, Although still in development, nanotechnology could be applied to many things for a better Earth and a better society. What many people can learn from him is the fact that there is more than what you can see, and when you do see it, that's when you have seen everything.
More information about the application of nanotechnology can be found at:
Works Cited
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- Feynman, Richard P. Surely You're Joking Mr.Feynman! New York: W.W. Norton, 1985. The Florida State University Chemistry and Biochemistry. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <http://www.chem.fsu.edu/chemlab/isc3523c/feyn_surely.pdf>.
- Riley, Christopher. "Richard Feynman: Life, the Universe and Everything."The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 9 May 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2014.
- Gleick, James. "Richard P. Feynman (American Physicist)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/205700/Richard-P-Feynman>.
- Raphael, Marc L. The Columbia History of Jews and Judaism in America. Chichester, West Sussex: Columbia UP, 2008. Google Books. Google. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <http://books.google.com/books?id=RYK6zkaHUHsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false>.
- "Using the History of Science in the Physics Classroom." History of Physics: Historical Entries. Education Development Center, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <http://historyphysics.edc.org/bios.asp#feynman>.
- Krauss, Lawrence M. Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Sciencde (Great Discoveries). New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. Print.
- Richard P. Feynman - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 13 Dec 2014. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1965/feynman-bio.html>
- Wasn't Frighten of not knowing (Richard Feynman). Dir. Bantawaan lagundong. Perf. Richard P. Feynman. YouTube. Bantawaan lagundong, 1 June 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdjX6yj-ifM>.