File:Edward_Witten.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Edward Witten is an American theoretical physicist who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of our time. His work has fundamentally shaped modern physics, particularly in the areas of string theory and quantum field theory, making him central to physicists' ongoing efforts to understand the deepest laws of nature.
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Person · Open Library
- Works
- 12
Top works
- Current Algebra and Anomalies
- Study guide [to accompany] Chemistry
- General Chemistry Laboratory Manual for Science Majors
- Superstring Theory : Volume 2, Loop Amplitudes, Anomalies and Phenomenology
- Superstring Theory : Volume 1, Introduction
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Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 43
- Total plays
- 75
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Recent publications · Crossref
5 total works indexed
- Equation of State Calculations by Fast Computing Machines
· 1953 · cited 29,702x
- Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.
· 2000 · cited 27,642x
- Adsorption of Gases in Multimolecular Layers
· 1938 · cited 24,338x
- The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior
· 2000 · cited 23,708x
- THE USE OF LEAD CITRATE AT HIGH pH AS AN ELECTRON-OPAQUE STAIN IN ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
· 1963 · cited 18,946x
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Quotes
- “It is very possible that a proper understanding of string theory will make the space-time continuum melt away.... String theory is a miracle through and through.”
- “Vibrating strings in 10 dimensions is just a weird fact... An explanation of that weird fact would tell you why there are 10 dimensions in the first place.”
- “I don't think that any physicist would have been clever enough to have invented string theory on purpose... Luckily, it was invented by accident.”
- “String theory is extremely attractive because gravity is forced upon us. All known consistent string theories include gravity, so while gravity is impossible in quantum field theory as we have known it, it is obligatory in string theory.”
- “Most people who haven't been trained in physics probably think of what physicists do as a question of incredibly complicated calculations, but that's not really the essence of it. The essence of it is that physics is about concepts, wanting to understand the concepts, the principles by which the world works.”
- “Quantum mechanics... developed through some rather messy, complicated processes stimulated by experiment. While it's a very rich and wonderful theory, it doesn't quite have the conceptual foundation of general relativity. Our problem in physics is that everything is based on these two different theories and when we put them together we get nonsense.”
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Wikidata facts
- Official website
- www.ias.edu/sns/witten
- Image
- Edward Witten.jpg
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- Commons category
- Edward Witten
- date of birth
- 1951-01-01
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- 3
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- Edward Witten
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Article
Edward Witten (born August 26, 1951) is an American theoretical physicist known for his contributions to string theory, topological quantum field theory, and various areas of mathematics. He is a professor emeritus in the school of natural sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Witten is a researcher in string theory, quantum gravity, supersymmetric quantum field theories, and other areas of mathematical physics. Witten's work has also significantly impacted pure mathematics. In 1990, he became the first physicist to be awarded a Fields Medal by the International Mathematical Union, for his mathematical insights in physics, such as his 1981 proof of the positive energy theorem in general relativity, and his interpretation of the Jones invariants of knots as Feynman integrals. He is considered the practical founder of M-theory.
Early life and education