Michael Faraday, Chemist and Physicist

Michael Faraday was born on September 22, 1791 in Newington Butts, Surrey, England. He was raised in a very poor family. He as the 3rd of 4 children in a deeply religious household. Looking at his accomplishments later one would believe that he had a very deep education in mathematics and science. However, Faraday only had minimal schooling and was forced to learn most mathematics and science on his own.

Since MIchael Faraday was born into a lower class and England at that time was using the class system, he was not given the same privileges as others were during his time. For example, when he was on his trip with Sir Humphrey Davy, Davy had to take him as a chauffer and not as an assistant because of his class. It would be demeaning for Davy to have Faraday as an assistant. Even though Davy did not treat Faraday any differently because of his class, Davy's wife did. She never treated Faraday as an equal and made him eat with the servants and not sit at the table with her and her husband. Faraday had thought many times to just quit science and go back home. However, through this trip he had gained access to many new people and scientists where he could spread his theories.

Even though Faraday is known for his accomplishments in physics, he had also discovered many things in chemistry. Faraday had discovered the compound benzene which is now used in the production of dyes, rubber, plastic, and drugs. In addition, Faraday also used the first form of the Bunsen burner in his lab. Even though it was not named after him, he had started the concept and then Bunsen had perfected it. Then, Faraday had also created the system of oxidation numbers. This system was very helpful because it gave the charges of all atoms in the periodic table of elements. Lastly, Faraday also popularized words as cathode, anode, electrode, and ion. An anode is an electrode where current flows into a polarized device. In contrast, a cathode is where current flows out of a polarized device.

Now in physics, Faraday had different accomplishments. He had created the Faraday law of induction to see how electricity is transferred from one place to another. He said that magnetic flux through a closed surface is always zero. Faraday also created the first form of a generator through the Faraday ring. This was made by using an iron ring and wrapping it around tightly with wire and running electricity through it.

Even after Faraday's life, he had a hand in other discoveries. For example, he had influenced the scientist Maxwell who, without Faraday's laws, would never had created mathematical theories in electricity and magnetism. In addition, Faraday had also influenced Einstein and helped him create the Theory of Special Relativity which is so popular today.

This is the life and legacy of Michael Faraday. Form a poor family he had to teach himself to make it out of his lower class. Eventually, his hard work paid off and he was able to make many accomplishments in chemistry and physics.

Wikipedia.org
Michael Faraday

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Faraday's Law