Biography
– Born in Bologna
– Educated in Bologna
– Taught physics at Bologna Technical College
– Took up chair of physics at the University of Palermo
– Professor of physics at the University of Padua
Early Research
– Conducted research in electrostatics
– Invented an induction electrometer in 1872
– Formulated mathematical descriptions of vibrational motion
– Discovered magnetic hysteresis in 1880
– Studied conduction of heat and electricity in bismuth
Hertzian Waves
– Investigated Hertzian waves in the 1890s
– Generated microwaves, producing 12GHz microwaves
– Detected microwaves with a dipole antenna and spark gap
– Used microwaves to perform classic optics experiments
– Provided experimental confirmation of James Clerk Maxwell’s theory
Influence on Marconi
– Influenced Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of radio
– Marconi visited Righi’s lab
– Marconi used Righi’s spark oscillator in his transmitters
– Marconi invented the first practical wireless telegraphy radio transmitters and receivers
– Righi wrote a book on wireless telegraphy
Later Work
– Worked on X-rays and the Zeeman effect
– Studied gas under various conditions
– Worked on improvements to the Michelson-Morley experiment
– Wrote a book on physical phenomena
– Made significant contributions to the field of electromagnetism Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Righi
Augusto Righi (27 August 1850 – 8 June 1920) was an Italian physicist and a pioneer in the study of electromagnetism. He was born and died in Bologna.
Augusto Righi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 27 August 1850 |
| Died | 8 June 1920 (aged 69) Bologna, Italy |
| Alma mater | University of Bologna |
| Known for | Induction electrometer, Microwaves, Magnetic hysteresis |
| Awards | Matteucci Medal (1882) Hughes Medal (1905) |
| Scientific career | |
| Academic advisors | Antonio Pacinotti |
| Notable students | Guglielmo Marconi |
