What were the major breakthroughs in 19th-century physics?

During the 19th century, physics advanced significantly through the formulation of classical thermodynamics and the establishment of electromagnetism as a distinct branch of science. Key figures like Michael Faraday, James Clerk Maxwell, and Andre-Marie Ampere discovered foundational electrical and magnetic laws. Additionally, this era defined the notion of energy and established statistical mechanics.

What we know

• The basic laws of electromagnetism and statistical mechanics were discovered during the 19th century. [2]
• Experiments and theories by Michael Faraday, Andre-Marie Ampere, James Clerk Maxwell, and their contemporaries created electromagnetism as a new branch of science. [3]
• Thermodynamics led to an understanding of heat and the formal definition of the notion of energy in the 19th century. [3]
• The electrical science developed during this era made possible new technologies such as electric power, the telegraph, the telephone, and radio. [3]

Where to go next

• what caused itHow did the Scientific Revolution lead to modern physics?
• what followedHow did 19th-century electrical science enable new technologies?
• how it workedHow did thermodynamics explain heat and energy?
• how we knowWhat experiments shaped the discovery of electromagnetism?
• the bigger pictureHow is physics divided into classical and modern branches?
• an unexpected connectionHow did the coining of the word scientist relate to 19th-century physics?The exact decade physics was establishing electromagnetism as a formal science also saw William Whewell coin the word scientist to replace natural philosopher.

Sources

• [1]history of physics (Wikidata Q212881) · CC0 1.0
• [2]History of physics · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]19th century in science · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]19th-century philosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]19th century · CC BY-SA 4.0