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Von Mayer, Julius Robert

Von Mayer, Julius Robert

This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry

Julius Robert von Mayer (1814-1878) was a German physician and physicist who stated the mechanical equivalence of heat in 1842, which is a consequence of the law of conservation of energy. He did so independently of Joule, who received credit for the discovery a few years later. Mayer’s discovery came from his observations of a horse stirring paper pulp in a cauldron. He also is thought to be the first person to describe the chemical process now referred to as oxidation as the primary source of energy for any living organism. As the first person to develop the law of the conservation of energy, Mayer produced one of the most significant achievements in the history of physics.

Further Readings
Julius Robert von Mayer (1814-1878) (University of South Dakota)

Citation

Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Von Mayer, Julius Robert". 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 March 6, 2010; Last revised Date March 6, 2010; Retrieved May 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Von_Mayer,_Julius_Robert>

The Author

Cutler J. Cleveland 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)

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