Key Figures in Modern Physics and Their Contributions

Max Planck

Introduced the concept of quantized energy.

Heinrich Hertz

Discovered the photoelectric effect.

J.J. Thomson

Proposed the Plum Pudding Model and discovered the electron.

Ernest Rutherford

Developed the Planetary Model, discovered the proton, and conducted the gold foil experiment.

Niels Bohr

Introduced energy levels in atoms (Bohr Model).

Louis de Broglie

Proposed the wave nature of electrons, with the relation: λ = h/p.

Werner Heisenberg

Formulated the Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics: "Can't know position and momentum at the same time."

Erwin Schrödinger

Developed the probability model of locating electrons in regions.

Wilhelm Roentgen

Discovered X-rays.

Arthur Compton

Discovered X-ray scattering, linking it to momentum.

Clinton Davisson & Lester Germer

Conducted the electron diffraction experiment.

G.P. Thomson

Demonstrated electron diffraction through thin metal films.

Albert Einstein

Known for: Mass-energy equivalence: E = mc² and Photoelectric effect: k = hf − ϕ.

Henri Becquerel

Discovered radioactivity (α, β, γ).

Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner, Fritz Strassmann, Otto Frisch

Worked on uranium nucleus and nuclear fission.