Wilhelm Ostwald
Wilhelm Ostwald
Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwaldwas a Russian-German chemist. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his work on catalysis, chemical equilibria and reaction velocities. Ostwald, Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, and Svante Arrhenius are usually credited with being the modern founders of the field of physical chemistry...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth2 September 1853
CountryGermany
faced field general occupied particular position realized scheme stages
Faced with this general consideration it will immediately be realized on inquiry into the particular position occupied within this general scheme by the scientific field of catalysis that it is in the first stages of its development.
general great personal science special stands unity
Consequently, even in this personal special case, the great unity of all science stands out decisively as a general regulative principle.
convincing general great proof weight
Nevertheless, the experimental proof is so much more convincing than such a general consideration that great weight attaches to it in any case.
afterwards classical course determined expected found previous property soon studied
Soon afterwards I studied the inversion of sugar in the light of these considerations and immediately found that this classical reaction, too, was determined quantitatively by the same property of the acids, as was of course to be expected from the previous results.
answered coherence parts since whether
Whether that coherence obtains universally is a question that need not be answered here since only those parts where the coherence has actually been found become part of Science.
alter change fact form formal hence properties specific view
The well-known fact that the form of a specific substance, e.g. water, and hence its properties can alter without a change in composition was disposed of by the formal view that a physical, not a chemical, process was involved.
assumption basis coherence forms general means provides survey
The general assumption of coherence of the world, which as we know forms the basis of all science, provides the means to survey such types.
activity follow maximum organs pattern period
The individual organs follow the same pattern as the whole organism, i.e. they have their period of growth, of stationary, maximum activity and then of aging decline.
firsts chemicals century
In the first quarter of the nineteenth century the experimental proof for the interdependence of the composition and properties of chemical compounds resulted in the theory that they are mutually related, so that like composition governs like properties, and conversely.
attitude independence half
My only supporter and comrade-in-arms was Georg Helm, who had endeavored to formulate an energetic conception of science before me and had presented his results in a treatise [Die Lehre von der Energie] exhibiting great independence of thought. But we were separated by his aversion to a realistic conception of energy. Consequently, each of us considered the other only a half ally, toward whom an attitude of caution was necessary.
development reactions distinction
The distinction between the old and the new formulations consisting in the incorporation of the concept of the rate of chemical reactions is so great that it immediately asserted itself in the objective development of catalysis.
order water sugar
For, with pure water the inversion of cane sugar scarcely proceeds and subsequently it required very thorough, difficult studies before this effect and its order of magnitude were established.
today fields chemistry
It has pleased no less than surprised me that of the many studies whereby I have sought to extend the field of general chemistry, the highest scientific distinction that there is today has been awarded for those on catalysis.
mean hard-work land
Science is one land, having the ability to accommodate even more people, as more residents gather in it; it is a treasure that is the greater the more it is shared. Because of that, each of us can do his work in his own way, and the common ground does not mean conformity.