Scientist of the day - Charles Augustin de Coulomb

Charles Augustin de Coulomb was a French physicist best known for developing the law of physics which is named after him. Coulomb’s law, also known as Coulomb’s inverse-square law, describes the electrostatic interactions between electrically charged particles. It was his discoveries and studies during the late 18th century that formed the foundation for the development of the theory of electromagnetism later on. He made equally important contributions in the field of friction studies, torsions, applied mechanics, and magnetism. Born into a wealthy family, he received a good education and was a very studious and bright student. He graduated from the Royal Engineering School of Mézières (École royale du génie de Mézières) and held a number of engineering jobs over the course of his professional life. He was also interested in research and began to write papers on applied mechanics. Alongside his engineering career, he continued his own work on friction and magnetism. Once he was asked to report on the feasibility of a navigable canal. Through his research he concluded that the proposed plan was too expensive—this angered the French bureaucracy and he was penalized. Knowing that he was right, he felt disappointed with the French government and decided to invest his efforts in the study of physics instead. 

 

Childhood & Early Life

Charles Coulomb was born on 14 June 1736, in Angouleme, France, to aristocratic parents. His father, Henri Coulomb worked as a lawyer, while his mother Catherine Bajet hailed from a well-established family.

Major Works

He is best known for developing Coulomb’s law which he first published in 1785. This law which described the electrostatic interaction between electrically charged particles led to the development of the theory of electromagnetism. 

Awards & Achievements

• His memoir on magnetic compasses earned him a shared first prize in the Paris Académie des Sciences competition in 1777.
• In 1781, he won the first prize at the Académie des Sciences for his work, ‘Theorie des Machines Simples ("Theory of Simple Machines")’ and was elected to the Academie as adjoint mécanicien.

   

  Trivia
• His name is included among the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower.
• The SI unit of electric charge, the coulomb, was named after him.
• The theory of earth pressure and the generalized wedge theory, related to soil mechanics propounded by him still form the basis of engineering practice.

• He is credited with the invention of the torsion balance.

Scientist of the day - James Young

James Young was a Scottish Chemist, engineer, founder of the first commercial oil-works in the world, and is known as the father of the petrochemical industry. He was born to John Young, a cabinetmaker, and lived a modest life. He worked in the mornings as an apprentice to his father. He attended evening classes at Anderson’s College from the age of 19. It was there that he met Thomas Graham who was a lecturer in chemistry. He was appointed as an assistant to Graham, and became a friend of David Livingstone. His first important contribution to the field of science was the modification of the voltaic battery. He proposed immersing potatoes in dilute sulphuric acid as a means of combating potato blight. He developed lubricating oil and thinner oil for burning. His most important contribution, for which he came to be known as James “Paraffin” Young, was for developing the technique of extracting paraffin oil by distilling coal. He patented his production in the US and the UK. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, served as the President of Anderson’s College, and founded the Young Chair of Technical Chemistry at the College. He was elected to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. He was awarded an Honorary LLD at St. Andrews University. 

Childhood & Early Life

• James Young was on July 13, 1811 at Glasgow, Scotland to John Young, a cabinetmaker. He became an apprentice to his father quite early in life, and educated himself studying at night school.
• He worked in the mornings and attended evening classes at Anderson’s College from the age of 19 where he met Thomas Graham who was a lecturer in chemistry.

  Major Works
• In 1847, his was told about oil oozing from the Riddings colliery in Derbyshire. After considerable experimentation, he and Mr Edward Meldrum developed thick lubricating oil, and a thin oil suitable for burning.

He discovered that by slow distillation a number of useful liquids could be obtained from coal. One such liquid was “paraffine oil” which congealed at low temperatures. He patented his products in 1850.

Awards & Achievements

In 1879, he was awarded an Honorary LLD at St. Andrews University, and for two years was the Vice-President of the Chemical Society. He was elected to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

Personal Life & Legacy

• Young was married to Mary and the couple had three sons and four daughters.
• He died at his home on May 13, 1883 in Kelly, near Wemyss Bay, and was survived by his wife, their three sons and four daughters. He was buried at Inverkip.
• The James Young High School in Livingston, and the James Young Halls at the University of Strathclyde were named after him. In 2011, he was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.

  Trivia
• This Scottish scientist built a miniature version of the “Victoria Falls” in Limefield House, where he lived, as a tribute to David Livingstone who discovered it in the mid-19th century.

This scientific researcher was a good friend of David Livingstone, and funded a search expedition to find Livingstone when he went missing. He also arranged to have Livingstone’s servants brought back to England.