Biography of Famous Scientist Pyotr Kapitsa
Pyotr Kapitsa: Physicist and Nobel Laureate
Early Life and Education:
Pyotr Leonidovich Kapitsa was born on June 9, 1894, in Kronstadt, Russia. His father, Leonid Petrovich Kapitsa, was a military engineer. Pyotr’s early education took place in St. Petersburg. In 1914, he entered the Petrograd Polytechnical Institute, where he studied engineering.
However, World War I interrupted his studies. Kapitsa served in the Imperial Russian Army and was seriously wounded. After the war, he returned to Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) and resumed his studies at the Polytechnical Institute, graduating in 1918.
Research in Physics:
Following his graduation, Kapitsa became interested in physics. He pursued further studies at the Institute of Physics and Mathematics of the Petrograd Polytechnical Institute, where he worked under the supervision of Nobel laureate Abram Ioffe. In 1921, Kapitsa defended his Ph.D. thesis on the scattering of electrons in gases.
Academic Career in the Soviet Union:
Pyotr Kapitsa’s academic career in the Soviet Union began to flourish. In 1925, he was appointed a professor at the Leningrad Polytechnical Institute. He conducted research in various areas of physics, making notable contributions to the study of strong magnetic fields and the behavior of matter at extremely low temperatures.
In the 1930s, Kapitsa played a key role in establishing the Institute of Physical Problems of the Academy of Sciences in Moscow. He attracted talented scientists to work on cutting-edge research, contributing to the development of Soviet physics.
Discovery of Superfluidity:
One of Kapitsa’s most significant contributions was the discovery of superfluidity in liquid helium. In 1937, he observed unusual properties in liquid helium at temperatures near absolute zero. He found that helium transformed into a “superfluid” state, demonstrating zero viscosity and the ability to flow without dissipating energy. This groundbreaking discovery earned him the Stalin Prize in 1946.
International Collaboration and World War II:
Despite political challenges in the Soviet Union, Kapitsa maintained connections with the international scientific community. During World War II, he collaborated with British scientists, contributing to the development of radar technology. His work in this period established him as a leading figure in both Soviet and international physics.
Post-War Years and Nobel Prize:
After the war, Kapitsa continued his research and educational activities. In 1978, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the discovery of superfluidity in helium-3. However, Kapitsa faced challenges during this period due to his disagreement with the Soviet authorities on certain issues, including the suppression of scientific and political dissent.
Later Years and Legacy:
Pyotr Kapitsa continued to be active in scientific research and education until his later years. He contributed to the study of plasma physics and controlled nuclear fusion.
Pyotr Kapitsa passed away on April 8, 1984, in Moscow, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of physics. His discoveries in low-temperature physics, superfluidity, and contributions to international collaboration have had a profound impact on the understanding of fundamental physical phenomena. Kapitsa’s work remains influential, and he is remembered as one of the leading physicists of the 20th century.