The 1937 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to George Paget Thomson for his experimental discovery regarding the diffraction of electrons by crystals. By scattering electrons through metallic films only three hundred-millionths of a meter thick, he provided critical empirical evidence for the principle of wave-particle duality, demonstrating that electrons behave as waves rather than solely as particles.
Academic Foundations and Military Service
Born in 1892 in Cambridge, Thomson was the son of Nobel laureate J. J. Thomson and Rose Elisabeth Paget. After attending The Perse School, he studied mathematics and physics at Trinity College, Cambridge. His initial research at the Cavendish Laboratory was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. He served as a military officer in the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment and later joined the Royal Flying Corps to research aerodynamics, holding a commission until 1920.
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Take the IQ test →Proving the De Broglie Hypothesis
In 1922, Thomson became Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen. His research focused on verifying the wave-like properties of matter posited by Louis de Broglie. By passing electrons through thin films of aluminium, gold, and platinum, he observed diffraction patterns that aligned with theoretical predictions within a five percent margin. This work earned him the Nobel Prize, shared with Clinton Davisson, who achieved similar findings independently.
Nuclear Physics and Practical Application
Thomson moved to Imperial College London as Professor of Physics in 1930. During the late 1930s and throughout World War II, his work shifted toward nuclear physics and military applications. As chairman of the MAUD Committee from 1940 to 1941, he led the scientific assessment that established the feasibility of the atomic bomb. His later career included serving as Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, from 1952 to 1962.
Recognition and Legacy
Throughout his career, Thomson held memberships in the Royal Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His numerous accolades include the Howard N. Potts Medal, the Hughes Medal, the Royal Medal, and the Faraday Medal. He delivered the Guthrie Lecture and served as President of the British Association. Thomson died in 1975 in Cambridge and is buried at the Church of St Mary and St Andrew.
Fast facts
- Born: 1892, Cambridge
- Died: 1975, Cambridge
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1937
- Education: Trinity College
- Major Employers: Imperial College London, University of Aberdeen
- Military Rank: Captain
- Fellowship: Royal Society
- Burial Site: Church of St Mary and St Andrew
Questions readers ask
Did George Paget Thomson and his father both win Nobel Prizes?
Yes. His father, J. J. Thomson, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906, and George Paget Thomson won the same prize in 1937.
What was the significance of the MAUD Committee?
Chaired by Thomson in 1940 and 1941, the committee concluded that the development of an atomic bomb was scientifically feasible.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Nobel Prize in Physics — 1937
- Hughes Medal — 1939
- Faraday Medal — 1960
- Royal Medal — 1949
- Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi
- Held posts at Imperial College London and University of Aberdeen
- Educated at Trinity College
- Fields of research: physics
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