The birth of the man who paved the way for the invention of TVs, mobile phones and microwaves will be celebrated this year by a series of public events across Scotland.
The 175th anniversary of the birth of James Clerk Maxwell, one of the 19th century’s greatest physicists is being celebrated this year to bring the little known achievements of Maxwell before young people and a wider general public.
Maxwell was appointed to the chair of Natural Philosophy at the University’s Marischal College in 1856 and as a first event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his appointment, the University will host a public lecture on Tuesday, April 25 which is being presented by Dr Basil Mahon.
Maxwell made fundamental contributions to mathematics, astronomy and engineering and is a Scot whose ideas increasingly electrify, magnetize and change the world today.
Dr Mahon has a passion for the physical sciences. A former officer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and a graduate in Engineering, he is the author of the acclaimed book on Maxwell: “The Man Who Changed Everything: The Life of James Clerk Maxwell”. He will be presenting this lecture and has for many years been fascinated by the impact that James Clerk Maxwell has had on all our lives.
What is light? How can it travel through empty space? Why does it never slow down? How can you connect a phone without wires? What are Saturn's rings made of? And how did a 19th century Scotsman answer these questions just by thinking about them? These are among some of the questions which are going to be answered in this fascinating lecture.
Maxwell was greatly admired by Einstein and is internationally acclaimed as the father of modern physics. So much of our technology in the world today stems from Maxwell’s grasp of basic principles of the universe.
This month’s lecture at the University is free and is open to the public. No booking for tickets required – anyone wishing to attend the lecture can gain access on the evening. The lecture will take place in Fraser Noble 2, in the Fraser Noble Building on Tuesday, April 25 at 7.30pm.
For further details visit: www.maxwellyear2006.org/html/events.html