Origins & Early Life

Walther Hermann Nernst (German pronunciation: [ˈvaltɐ ˈnɛʁnst] ; 25 June 1864 – 18 November 1941) was a German physical chemist known for his work in thermodynamics, physical chemistry, electrochemistry, and solid-state physics. His formulation of the Nernst heat theorem helped pave the way for the third law of thermodynamics, for which he won the 1920 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He is also known for developing the Nernst equation in 1887. He studied physics and mathematics at the University of Zurich, the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin, the University of Graz and the University of Würzburg, where he received his doctorate 1887.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1889, he finished his habilitation at Leipzig University. Nernst was born in Briesen in the Prussian Province of West Prussia (now Wąbrzeźno, Poland) to Gustav Nernst (1827–1888) and Ottilie Nerger (1833–1876). His father was a country judge. Nernst had three older sisters and one younger brother. His third sister died of cholera.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Nernst went to elementary school at Graudenz, Prussia (now Grudziądz, Poland). Nernst started undergraduate studies at the University of Zürich in 1883, then after an...

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• 1864 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1864
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• 1941 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1941
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