Historical Encyclopedia
André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836) was a French physicist and mathematician, best known for his work in the field of electromagnetism. His name has become synonymous, and in his honor, the unit of measurement for electric current — ampere — is named.
André-Marie Ampère was born on January 20, 1775, in Lyon, France. His father, Jean-Jacques Ampère, was a weaver, and his mother, Jeanne, was a homemaker. From a young age, Ampère showed an interest in science and mathematics. He self-studied many subjects, which laid the foundation for his future scientific achievements.
After completing his studies, Ampère began teaching at various educational institutions. In 1802, he became a professor at a college in Lyon, where he continued his research. He published numerous works dedicated to electricity and magnetism.
The most significant contribution of Ampère to science was his discovery of the law describing the interaction between electric currents. In 1820, Hans Christian Ørsted experimentally demonstrated that an electric current can create a magnetic field. Ampère expanded on these studies, developing a theory that explained the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
Ampère's Law states that the force of interaction between two parallel conductors carrying current is proportional to the magnitudes of the currents and inversely proportional to the distance between them. This discovery became the foundation for further studies of electromagnetic phenomena.
Ampère also made significant contributions to various fields of science, including:
André-Marie Ampère was married to Suzanne, with whom he had three children. However, his personal life was filled with difficulties, and in 1826, his wife tragically passed away. This affected him deeply, and he dedicated himself to science to cope with his grief.
Ampère left behind a rich legacy. His work became the basis for further research in electromagnetism, and he is considered one of the founders of this discipline. The unit of measurement for electric current — ampere — is named in his honor, as well as several scientific societies and awards.
André-Marie Ampère is an outstanding figure in the history of science. His research changed the understanding of electricity and magnetism, and his contribution to science continues to be relevant today. His legacy lives on in every electrical circuit and in every technology based on the principles of electromagnetism.