Siméon Denis Poisson: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:14, 5 December 2015

Created by Benjamin Bierbaum

Siméon Poisson was a French mathematician best known for his work on definite integrals and electromagnetic theory.

Personal Life

Early Life

Poisson was born in Pithiviers, Loiret, France on June 21, 1781. The son of a soldier, he showed great promise in mathematics and science and started at Paris' École Polytechnique as first in his class. His focus was on mathematics, and at 18 was published in the esteemed journal Recueil des savants étrangers for his writings on finite difference equations.

Life in Academia

After completing his studies, Doppler applied for a teaching position at the University of Vienna. He was appointed as an assistant professor teaching higher level mathematics. Considering his age, this was a rather lowly position so Doppler applied for a permanent professorship (tenure) at 30. While his applications were being considered, he was forced to work in a factory to make a living, since his position at the University of Vienna had been terminated.

Doppler almost left and moved to the United Stated; just as he was about to make a decision he received an offer from the Technical Secondary School located in Prague in 1835. He was not particularly happy with the position since he was only teaching basic mathematics. After some time, the school allowed him to teach higher mathematics for a few hours a week. His stint ended in 1841 when he was offered a professorship at the Vienna Polytechnic Institute. Doppler's time here was riddled with troubles. Although he dutifully carried his work, several students complained that his exams were unfair and he was therefore reprimanded. Moreover, Doppler fell into poor health during this time as well. After these troubles, Doppler was not keen on staying at the Polytechnic and was offered a position at the Academy of Mines and Forests where he could teach physics and mathematics.

By this point in his career, Doppler was gaining some traction in the world of science. After a short period of time he became the director of the Institute of Physics at Vienna University.

Family Life

Poisson married Nancy de Bardi in 1817. Together they had four children.

Death and Legacy

Poisson's health was weak throughout his lifetime - he had several older siblings that died during childhood, and he was entrusted to a nurse during his early life. His health declined rapidly in 1840, and although extremely impaired, he continued to attend meetings of the French Academy of Sciences.

Poisson died on April 25, 1840. Attendees of his funeral included numerous French scientists, as well as the youngest son of King Louis Philippe I, who studied under Poisson.

Poisson was President of the French Academy of Sciences at the time of his death, and was also a member of the Royal Society of London. His name is inscribed on the Eiffel Tower in Paris alongside 71 other prominent French scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

A Mathematical Model

What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

Examples

Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible

Simple

Middling

Difficult

Connectedness

How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
How is it connected to your major?
Is there an interesting industrial application?

History

Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Created by Benjamin Bierbaum
-Christian Doppler was an Austrian physicist and mathematician best known for his namesake scientific phenomenon - the Doppler Effect.
+Siméon Poisson was a French mathematician best known for his work on definite integrals and electromagnetic theory.
 [[File:Simeon Poisson.jpg|thumb|250px|Simeon Poisson]]
-==The Main Idea==
+==Personal Life==
-State, in your own words, the main idea for this topic
+===Early Life===
+Poisson was born in Pithiviers, Loiret, France on June 21, 1781. The son of a soldier, he showed great promise in mathematics and science and started at Paris' École Polytechnique as first in his class. His focus was on mathematics, and at 18 was published in the esteemed journal ''Recueil des savants étrangers'' for his writings on finite difference equations.
+===Life in Academia===
+After completing his studies, Doppler applied for a teaching position at the University of Vienna. He was appointed as an assistant professor teaching higher level mathematics. Considering his age, this was a rather lowly position so Doppler applied for a permanent professorship (tenure) at 30. While his applications were being considered, he was forced to work in a factory to make a living, since his position at the University of Vienna had been terminated.
+Doppler almost left and moved to the United Stated; just as he was about to make a decision he received an offer from the Technical Secondary School located in Prague in 1835. He was not particularly happy with the position since he was only teaching basic mathematics. After some time, the school allowed him to teach higher mathematics for a few hours a week. His stint ended in 1841 when he was offered a professorship at the Vienna Polytechnic Institute. Doppler's time here was riddled with troubles. Although he dutifully carried his work, several students complained that his exams were unfair and he was therefore reprimanded. Moreover, Doppler fell into poor health during this time as well. After these troubles, Doppler was not keen on staying at the Polytechnic and was offered a position at the Academy of Mines and Forests where he could teach physics and mathematics.
+By this point in his career, Doppler was gaining some traction in the world of science. After a short period of time he became the director of the Institute of Physics at Vienna University.
+===Family Life===
+Poisson married Nancy de Bardi in 1817. Together they had four children.
+===Death and Legacy===
+Poisson's health was weak throughout his lifetime - he had several older siblings that died during childhood, and he was entrusted to a nurse during his early life. His health declined rapidly in 1840, and although extremely impaired, he continued to attend meetings of the French Academy of Sciences.
+Poisson died on April 25, 1840. Attendees of his funeral included numerous French scientists, as well as the youngest son of King Louis Philippe I, who studied under Poisson.
+Poisson was President of the French Academy of Sciences at the time of his death, and was also a member of the Royal Society of London. His name is inscribed on the Eiffel Tower in Paris alongside 71 other prominent French scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
 ===A Mathematical Model===