HC Oersted

Physicist

Birthday August 14, 1777

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Rudkobing, Denmark

DEATH DATE Mar 9, 1851 (73)

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About

Danish physicist and chemist who discovered the important aspect of electromagnetism that electric currents create magnetic fields. The HC Orsted Medal is awarded every year by American Association of Physics Teachers.

Before Fame

He studied from home and learned from his father, who owned a pharmacy.

Trivia

He was the first to describe and give a name to the thought experiment and in 1822, he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. In 1806 he became a professor at the University of Copenhagen, where he studied electrical currents and acoustics. His discovery of piperine, a component of pepper, helped to contribute to the study of chemistry. 

Family Life

He had a brother named Anders an his father owned a pharmacy.

Associated With

He was a friend of Hans Christian Andersen.