Dirac, Paul Adrien Maurice
Published: August 31, 2006, 10:00 pm
Updated: August 31, 2006, 10:00 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac (1902-1984), a Swiss physicist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1933 for his many vital contributions to quantum mechanics, the theory that describes the world on a very small scale. Dirac's theory included wave mechanics (the version of quantum mechanics developed by Schrödinger), and matrix mechanics (the theory put forward by Heisenberg). In 1928, he published what is now known as the Dirac equation that explains the magnetic and "spin" properties of the electron. In 1931, Dirac used his equation to predict the existence of a particle with the same mass as the electron but with a positive rather than a negative charge. This "anti-particle," now called a positron, was actually detected in 1932. All particles are now known to have anti-particles.
Further Reading
Paul A. M. Dirac - Biography (Nobel Foundation)
Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac (Institute of Physics)
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Dirac, Paul Adrien Maurice". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 31, 2006; Last revised Date August 31, 2006; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Dirac,_Paul_Adrien_Maurice>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac (1902-1984), a Swiss physicist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1933 for his many vital contributions to quantum mechanics, the theory that describes the world on a very small scale. Dirac's theory included wave mechanics (the version of quantum mechanics developed by Schrödinger), and matrix mechanics (the theory put forward by Heisenberg). In 1928, he published what is now known as the Dirac equation that explains the magnetic and "spin" properties of the electron. In 1931, Dirac used his equation to predict the existence of a particle with the same mass as the electron but with a positive rather than a negative charge. This "anti-particle," now called a positron, was actually detected in 1932. All particles are now known to have anti-particles.
Further Reading
Paul A. M. Dirac - Biography (Nobel Foundation)
Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac (Institute of Physics)
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