Carl D. Anderson

Date of Birth: September 3, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: January 11, 1991

Biography

Carl David Anderson was an American physicist who made significant contributions to the field of particle physics. Born on September 3, 1905, in New York City, Anderson is best known for his discovery of the positron, an antimatter counterpart to the electron, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1936. He made this groundbreaking discovery while examining cosmic rays and noticing particles that behaved like electrons but curved in the opposite direction in a magnetic field. This discovery provided the first evidence of antimatter and had profound implications for theoretical physics. Anderson studied at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he received his Ph.D. in 1930 under the guidance of Nobel laureate Robert A. Millikan. Throughout his career, Anderson remained at Caltech, where he became a full professor in 1939. During World War II, he contributed to the development of rockets for the military. In addition to the positron, Anderson, along with his student Seth Neddermeyer, discovered the muon in 1936, another subatomic particle, further expanding the understanding of the particle zoo. Anderson’s work laid the groundwork for future discoveries in particle physics and helped establish the importance of cosmic ray research. Carl D. Anderson passed away on January 11, 1991, in San Marino, California, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering research and discovery.

5 Interesting Facts about Carl D. Anderson

1. Carl D. Anderson discovered the positron, the first known particle of antimatter.

2. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1936 at the age of 31.

3. Anderson spent his entire academic career at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

4. He also co-discovered the muon, another subatomic particle, in 1936.

5. During World War II, he worked on the development of rockets for the U.S. military.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carl D. Anderson

1. “The positron was something that was entirely unexpected.”

2. “Cosmic rays were my first love.”

3. “The discovery of the positron was a complete surprise.”

4. “In science, we are surrounded by mysteries, and the more we uncover, the more we realize how much we have yet to learn.”

5. “Physics is like an art; to discover new particles is to add new colors to the palette of nature.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Carl D. Anderson’s highest net worth is not widely documented, but his contributions to physics and academia brought him significant recognition and respect within the scientific community.