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Birth
Werner Heisenberg was born on December 5th, 1901 in Würzburg, Germany. His parents were Dr. August Heisenberg and Annie Wecklein. -
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School
Heisenberg competed with his older brother which made him want to excel in school. He was particularly interested in Math and Science and taught himself Calculus in middle school. By the end of his high school years he decided to study mathematics at Munich University. (2) -
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University
Heisenberg switched his study from mathematics to theoretical physics. In three short years he received his doctorate and by the age of 25 he was appointed as a professor in theoretical physics in Leipzig. He studied in Göttingen where he produced the first breakthrough to quantum mechanics. (2) His work with Bohr led to the uncertainty principle and the "Copenhagen Interpretation" of 1927. (2) The old quantum theory began to fall apart and Heisenberg began developing ways to solve it. -
The Uncertainty Principle
Below is a link to a video that explains Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle.
https://www.ted.com/talks/chad_orzel_what_is_the_heisenberg_uncertainty_principle/transcript?language=en
Many scientists and mathematicians such as Albert Einstein did not accept Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. Watch the link below for a short video explaining why.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mXJK86GCsI -
The Copenhagen Interpretation
When Heisenberg submitted his paper for the Uncertainty Principle, Niels Bohr reviewed it and found a flaw in his gamma-ray microscope which sparked his curiosity and ultimately led to the development of the Copenhagen Interpretation.
(3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcVj-_ffrzM -
Nobel Peace Prize
Heisenberg won the Nobel Peace Prize in Physics for his work in quantum mechanics which he developed while attending Munich University in 1925. -
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Molding Future Physicists
Heisenberg spent the remaining years of his life devoted to teaching physics. He served as the director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics for 24 years. His main goals were to revive the research of physics in West Germany and to reconstruct the institute to be the leading institute in physics research. He retired in 1970 at the age of 69. -
Death
Heisenberg died of cancer to the kidneys and gallbladder at age 74. (4) -
References
(1) Werner Heisenberg – Biographical. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2021. Mon. 25 Jan 2021. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1932/heisenberg/biographical/
(2) Cassidy, David C. Uncertainty: The Life and Science of Werner Heisenberg. history.aip.org/web-exhibits/heisenberg/youth-movement.html.
(3) Murray, Christopher. “HTPIB27M The Copenhagen Interpretation.” Youtube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcVj-_ffrzM. -
References Cont.
(4) FamousScientists. “Werner Heisenberg.” Famous Scientists, www.famousscientists.org/werner-heisenberg/.
