Walther Hermann Nernst (June 25, 1864 - November 18, 1941) was a German chemist and helped establish the modern field physical chemistry. Nernst contributed to electrochemistry, thermodynamics, solid state chemistry and photochemistry. Nernst discoveries also include the Nernst equation.

Nernst was born in Briesen, Prussia. He studied physics and mathematics at the universities of Zürich, Berlin and Graz. After some work in Leipzig, he founded the Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry at Göttingen. Nernst invented, in 1898, an electric metallic-filament lamp (the carbon lamp successor and the precursor to the incandescent lamp).

Nernst researched osmotic pressure and electrochemistry, he established what he referred to as a "heat theorem", around 1906, and later known as the Third law of thermodynamics (which covers the behavior of matter as temperatures approach absolute zero).

In 1920, he received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in recognition of his work in thermochemistry. In 1924, he became director of the Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut in Berlin, a position from which he retired in 1933. Nernst went on to work in electroacoustics and astrophysics.

Nernst invented an electrical piano, in 1930, replacing the sounding board with radio amplifiers. The piano used pickups to produce electronic modified and amplified sound (resembling an electric guitar). Nernst also developed the Nernst glower . It is important in the field of spectroscopy. This solid-body radiator is made up of a filament of rare-earth oxides. Continuous ohmic heating of the heating filament results in conduction. The glower operates best in wavelengths from 2 to 14 micrometers.

Publications and biographies

• "Theoretical Chemistry from the Standpoint of Avogadro's Rule and Thermodynamics". 1893 [5th editon, 1923].
• "The New Heat Theorem". 1918 [tr. 1926].
• Mendelssohn, Kurt A. G., "The world of Walther Nernst. The rise and fall of German science.". Macmillan, 1973 (biography).
• Barkan, Diana Kormos, "Walther Nernst and the Transition to Modern Physical Science". Cambridge University Press, 1998.

External links and references

• Katz, Eugenii, "Hermann Walther Nernst". Biographies of Famous Electrochemists and Physicists Contributed to Understanding of Electricity.
  • "Hermann Walther Nernst, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1920 : Prize Presentation". Presentation Speech by Professor Gerard de Geer, President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• Schmitt, Ulrich, "Walther Nernst". Physicochemical institute.
• "Nernst: architect of physical revolution". Physics World, September 1999.
• Suhling, Lothar, "Walther Nernst and the ammonia synthesis after Haber and Bosch". ISBN 3-928186-15-9