Svante August Arrhenius
- Born:
- February 19, 1859, Vik, Sweden
- Died:
- October 2, 1927, Stockholm, Sweden
- Nationality:
- Swedish
- Profession(s):
- Chemist, Physicist
Early Life and Education
- Showed early aptitude for mathematics and science.
- Studied at Uppsala University, receiving his doctorate in 1884.
Career and Major Achievements
- Developed the theory of electrolytic dissociation, explaining how electrolytes dissolve in water to form ions.
- Proposed the Arrhenius equation, which describes the temperature dependence of reaction rates.
- In 1896, published a seminal paper predicting that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could substantially alter surface temperature, anticipating the effect known today as anthropogenic global warming. This early work on what is now understood as the "Arrhenius effect" is linked to the 'imagen de svante arrhenius greenhouse' and his pioneering insights.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1903 for his theory of electrolytic dissociation.
- Served as Director of the Nobel Institute for Physical Chemistry from 1905 until his death.
Notable Works
- Recherches sur la conductibilité galvanique des électrolytes (1884)
- Über den Einfluss des Kohlensäuregehalts der Luft auf die Temperatur der Erde (1896)
- Worlds in the Making: The Evolution of the Universe (1908)
- Theories of Solutions (1912)
Legacy and Impact
Svante Arrhenius is remembered for his groundbreaking work in physical chemistry, particularly his theory of electrolytic dissociation and his early calculations on the potential impact of carbon dioxide on global temperatures. His contributions laid the foundation for much of modern physical chemistry and environmental science.