Pierre Laplace

The Life and Scientific Achievement of Pierre Laplace, compiled by Jeremiah Johnson

Personal Life

Pierre Laplace was born on the March 23, 1749 to a man also named Pierre Laplace, and a woman by the name of Marie-Anne Sochon in Beaumont-en-Auge, Normandy. His family was involved in agriculture, and his father also worked as a cider merchant and town syndic. His education began at a small village school from which he gained a foundation in education that was furthered at the University of Caen, where he studied theology. He branched out from theology when he was mentored by Christophe Gadbled and Pierre Le Canu, two mathematics professors at the University. He was very fond of mathematical study and his excellence in the field was noticed quickly. He soon determined that his future did not lie in theology or priesthood, so he became a full-time mathematician as his profession. He left the University of Caen and traveled to Paris with intent of studying under a supreme scientist of that day by the name of Jean le Rond d'Alembert, carrying recommendation from his prior mentor Le Canu. He impressed d'Alembert repeatedly with outstanding mathematical understanding, and he was soon giving a teaching job where he secured an income allowing him to put time into research. In this time, from 1771-1787, he produced much of his scientific work, particularly in Astronomy. In 1788, he married a girl by the name of Marie-Charlotte de Courty de Romanges who was 18, which was less than half of his 39 years of age, and they had a son and daughter soon after as well.

Contributions to Science

Laplace began his scientific works by delving off into the field of Astronomy and Celestial Mechanics. He studied works from Sir Isaac Newton, and looked through his laws of motion and universal gravitation to make his own theories about the function of the universe, and then went on to author many works instrumental in the determining of the laws of gravitation and universe stability. While studying the stability and predictability of the solar system, he wrote much on Spherical Harmonics and what was then called Laplace Coefficients. He proceeded to use his mathematical skills to tie in scalar potential to calculus using a differential equation and simplifying vectors to define things for the first time in a mathematical physics. He continued on in his studies to discuss planetary inequalities and the notable differences between Jupiter and Saturn, as well as discussing lunar inequalities.

Far-Reaching Effects of His Work

Pierre Laplace did much in defining and determining laws of the Universe known today as Gravitational Potential in the field of Celestial Mechanics.

External links

Internet resources on this topic

References

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