Michael Faraday

English chemist and physicist. Famous for contributions to electromagnetism and electrochemistry

[ Born: 1791 / Surrey, England ]

[ Died: 1867 / Surrey, England ]

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• 1821 -Faraday performed a number of experiments which would form the basis of electromagnetic technology by using a magnet, chemical battery and a wire extending into a pool of mercury to form a “homopolar motor”.
• 1831 - Discovered electromagnetic induction, whereby electric current in one coil could induce current flow in another via an iron ring. Current was also found to flow if there was relative motion between the coil and a magnet. He used this principle to create the first dynamo.
• 1845 - Discovered the phenomenon of “diamagnetism” where some materials were weakly repelled by magnetic fields.
• •Rotated the plane of polarisation of plane polarised light using a magnetic field, proving that light and magnetic force were inextricably linked.
• Discovered the laws of electrolysis amd invented a gas delivery system which would later be developed to become the Bunsen burner
• Proposed the shielding effect of caused by charge residing on the outside of conductors, giving rise to the “Faraday Cage”

Trivia - Faraday did extensive work to popularise science. The Christmas lecture series at the Royal institute, (running to this day and usually televised), were begun by Faraday.

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