Physics - Kirchoff

Gustav Kirchhoff

(Image Source: http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Gustav_Kirchoff/)

Areas of Contribution in Physics:

• Electricity and Magnetism
• Thermodynamics

Contributions to Physics:

• Kirchhoff's Current Rule: in an electrical circuit, the total current entering a junction equals the total current leaving the junction
• Kirchhoff's Voltage Rule: in an electrical circuit, the sum of the potential drops in the circuit equals the total potential rises in the circuit

History/Fun Facts:

• "He was the first to show that current flows through a conductor at the speed of light" (http://www.answers.com/topic/gustav-kirchhoff, 2011)
• Collaborated with Robert Bunsen to show that each element has a specific spectral fingerprint
• Created the spectroscope in collaboration with Robert Bunsen
• Discovered Cesium and Rubidium
• Calculated the blackbody radiation of a heated body

Resources:

Hirsch, Alan J. (2004). Physics 12 College Preparation. Toronto: Nelson

Ministry of Education. (2008). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 Science. Inwww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/2009science11_12.pdf. Retrieved March 3, 2011 from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/2009science11_12.pdf.

Unknown. (2009). Gustav Kirchoff. In Gustav Kirchoff - Discussion and Encyclopedia Article. Who is Gustav Kirchoff? What is Gustav Kirchoff? Where is Gustav Kirchoff? Definition of Gustav Kirchoff. Meaning of Gustav Kirchoff. Retrieved March 4, 2011 fromhttp://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Gustav_Kirchoff/.

Unknown. (2011). Gustav Kirchhoff. In Gustav Kirchhoff: Biography from Answers.com. Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://www.answers.com/topic/gustav-kirchhoff.