Blaise Pascal

external image pascal_blaise2.gif
(Image Source:http://www.thocp.net/biographies/pascal_blaise.html)


Areas of Contribution in Physics:

  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
  • Thermodynamics
  • Planetary Science

Contributions to Physics:

  • Created the Pascaline (the "first" mechanical calculator)
  • Pascal's Principle: Pressure applied to a fluid, in an enclosed container, is transmitted equally to every part of the fluid and to the
    container itself

History/Fun Facts:

  • Was home schooled
  • Originally, his father only wanted him to study Languages and to stay away from Mathematics altogether
  • Was very gifted in Mathematics from an early age - Proved Euclid's 32nd proposition by the age of 13
  • Suffered from insomnia and severe indigestion later in his life (starting around the age of 18)
  • Fields of study bounced between Science, Math, and Spirituality (each of which he worked on very intensely)
  • Died at the age of 39 from a brain hemorrhage


Resources:


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

History of Computing Project. (2010). Blaise Pascal. In Blaise Pascal. Retrieved March 3, 2011, from http://www.thocp.net/biographies/pascal_blaise.html

Ministry of Education. (2008). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 Science. In www.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. (n.d.). Pascal's Principle. In webphysics.davidson.edu/physlet_resources/bu_semester1/c23_pressure_pascal.html. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://webphysics.davidson.edu/physlet_resources/bu_semester1/c23_pressure_pascal.html.