The Hustler's Digest StaffHave you ever wondered how Stephen Hawking made it to the top as a scientist despite his illness? Are you aware of what did Stephen Hawking do? If not, read this article to increase your knowledge!
Every year, new scientific discoveries push the boundaries of our understanding of the world. From medical breakthroughs to groundbreaking technological advancements, s cience plays a vital role in shaping our lives. Whether unlocking the universe’s secrets or developing new ways to combat disease, s cience can remarkably transform our world.
Many prominent names have contributed to science to bring it to advancement. From Rosalind to Franklin , we all worked to unravel the hidden mysteries we could not see. One such great thinker was Stephen Hawking, who has groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics, which plays a significant role in understanding our world. Do you know what did Stephen Hawking do? Or For what Stephen Hawking is famous for?
Today, s cience plays a critical role in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it. This article will explore some of the most significant scientific discoveries and breakthroughs of our time. We will delve into the life of Stephen Hawking to learn what did Stephen Hawking do and how his extravagant discoveries paved the way for advancements in the field.
Who is Stephen Hawking?
Before getting into knowing what did Stephen Hawking do, it is essential to know who he is. So let’s understand Stephen Hawking biography.
Stephen William Hawking, popularly known as Stephen Hawking, was a cosmologist. English theoretical physicist. He is known for his work on the structure and origin of the universe. From Big Bang to Black Holes, he gave all the critical theories contributing to unleashing nature’s dark secrets.
Family history
Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, the same date as the death of Italian astronomer Galileo. His father was Frank Hawking, and mother’s name was Isobel Hawking. His father was a medical researcher, and his mother was the first female student to graduate from Oxford university.
Moreover, his father belonged to a family of tenant farmers from Yorkshire. During the twentieth century, they were struck by hard times when there was an agricultural depression on the rise.
On the other hand, his mother was born in Scotland but moved to Devon when she was 12. She gained early education from Oxford with economics, philosophy, and politics as majors. she later became a teacher. Her free-thinking ability possessed a significant influence on her son.
At the time of Hawking’s birth, his mother moved to London due to the threat of bombing. In 1950, the family moved to St.Albans, where Franklin took a position at National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill.
Hawking had three siblings, two younger sisters, Philippa and Mary, and an adopted brother, Edward Frank David. Hawking was interested in learning science and mathematics, which earned him the nickname “Einstein” in school. However, His father wanted him to pursue medicine, but instead, he decided to study mathematics.
During his time, mathematics was not taught at Oxford college; thus, he decided to take physics as his major.
Early life
Along with sharing the date with Galileo, Hawkings shared the same curiosity to learn about the universe. He took inspiration to learn from Galileon, which brought him a successful career as a physicist and cosmologist.
He was the firstborn of three, and since childhood, he has been curious to learn how things work. Although he was more of an average child in his class, his eagerness to learn paved the way for him to become a well-known cosmologist.
He used to question the creation of the universe and how God created the universe “I wanted to fathom the depths of the universe.”
Educational background
Coming from a remarkably educated and successful family, Hawking inherited the genes to make a difference in history like his parents.
Primary and secondary education
As far as his early education is concerned, he went to Byron High School in London; however, at eight, he moved to St Alban’s High School for Girls. At thirteen, Hawking’s father wanted him to attend Westminster School but could not get in due to his absence on the day of the scholarship examination. After failing to get a scholarship and his parents could not pay expenses, he stayed in St Albans School.
In 1958, Hawking started working with his math teacher on various activities, including building a computer from various recycled items. His friends called him “Einstein” despite not being academically promising.
Undergraduate
Fast forward to college time, his father wanted hawking to go to Oxford and study science. However, Hawking decided to pursue mathematics, but as the option was not available then, he chose to go for physics.
While applying for Oxford, he asked the examiner, “If you award me a First, I will go to Cambridge. If I receive a Second, I shall stay in Oxford, so I expect you will give me a First.”. As he hoped, they did give him a first-class degree instead of a second. Thus, he graduated from Oxford and then moved in 1962 to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, for a doctorate in physics.
Post-graduation
During his postdoctoral degree, he was assigned a founder of modern cosmology, Fred Hoyle, as the supervisor.
At that time, there was an ongoing debate about the theories related to the creation of the universe, including the Big Bang and Steady State theories.
Hawking applied the same theories and thinking and wrote a thesis on the same topic. His thesis was approved in 1966, after which he received a research fellowship at Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge.
Later, he received a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and applied mathematics, specializing in cosmology and general relativity.
Career
Let’s move on to what did Stephen Hawking do and his career accomplishments. Hawking collaborated with several other physicists, including Roger Penrose, on research on the singularity theorem and the properties of black holes. In 1966, Stephen Hawking wrote an essay on “Singularities and the Geometry of Space-Time,” for which he was given the Adams Prize.
Later on, Hawking spent two years at Caltech as a renowned scholar, where he invested his focus on the working of gravitational waves and large-scale structures of the universe. He also worked with Kip Thorne, a physicist, on a research paper whose proposed focus was “the existence of wormholes.”
From 1969 to 1970, Hawking served at the Institute for Advanced Study in New Jersey. There he studied the properties of the black hole and the nature of singularity. His essay on “Singularities and the Geometry of Space-Time” formed the basis of his first book, “The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time,” co-authored with George Ellis in 1973.
In 1974, he was appointed a Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the California Institute of Technology. Moreover, Hawking was eager to access the nooks and crannies of the universe through his research. Thus, he continued his work on black holes, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe’s mysteries.
Being promoted as the professor of gravitational physics, he proposed Hawking radiation, which suggested that black holes emit radiation due to quantum effects. In the same year, Hawking shifted his focus to the study of quantum mechanics and gravity after coming across Weber’s early experiments for detecting gravitational waves during his trip to the USA.
In 1979, Hawking became the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, a prestigious role once held by Isaac Newton. He held the position for over 30 years, making significant theoretical physics contributions.
Illness
Stephen Hawking, a brilliant mind whose name echoes through the halls of physics and cosmology even after his passing. Stephen Hawking’s illness was a defining feature of his life and career.
Despite learning what did Stephen Hawking do, it is critical to understand the challenges he faced throughout his life. It is hard to talk about the man without mentioning the illness he battled with for most of his adult life, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
During their undergraduate years, Hawking noticed significant changes in his working abilities. He felt clumsy and lazy and began struggling with minor tasks. His movements started to become erratic, and after his accident at the skating lake in St Albans, he was immediately taken to the hospital. In his 75th birthday speech, he stated, “I fell over and had great difficulty getting up,” he told the audience.” After numerous tests, he was diagnosed
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, loss of motor control, and eventually paralysis. It’s a cruel illness that slowly robs the victims of their ability to move, speak, and breathe independently.
Hawking: Triumph Over ALS
Hawking was first diagnosed with ALS in 1963 at the age of 21. At the time, he was a bright young cosmology student at Cambridge University, and his diagnosis was devastating. Doctors gave him two years to live, and it seemed his promising career in science was over before it had even begun. He recalls his feelings: “At first, I became depressed. I seemed to be getting worse very rapidly.”
However, Hawking refused to give up. He continued his studies, determined to make the most of the time he had left. And as his body failed him, his mind soared to new heights. Despite being wheelchair-bound and unable to speak, he continued to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe, publishing groundbreaking research on black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of time itself.
Hawking’s battle with ALS was long and complex, but it was also a testament to the power of the human spirit. He never let his illness define him or hold him back. Instead, he used it as a source of inspiration and a driving force that pushed him to achieve greatness in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Married Life
Stephen Hawking had an eventful and complicated married life, marked by love, heartbreak, and perseverance. He married his first wife, Jane Wilde, an English writer and a teacher, in 1965, just two years after his diagnosis of ALS.
They had three children together, and for many years, they navigated the challenges of his illness together, with Jane providing him with round-the-clock care and support.
However, as time passed, the strain of caring for Hawking became too much for Jane, and their marriage began to unravel. In 1990, Hawking left Jane for his nurse, Elaine Mason, whom he married five years later.
This second marriage was controversial, with allegations of abuse and mistreatment by Elaine. In 2006, the couple separated, with Stephen citing “unreasonable behavior” on Elaine’s part.
What was Stephen Hawking famous for?
Now, let’s talk about what Stephen Hawking do or for what Stephen Hawking is famous for.
Stephen Hawking was a trailblazing physicist whose research on the universe and black holes captivated the mind of scientists and the general public alike. His groundbreaking work has challenged long-held beliefs and has fundamentally altered our understanding of the cosmos.
Hawking’s research on black holes was particularly influential, and his theory of Hawking radiation was a game-changer. Before his research, it was widely believed that black holes were entirely black and nothing could escape them. But Hawking proposed that black holes emit particles, causing them to evaporate slowly. This revolutionary theory challenged conventional wisdom and provided a new framework for understanding black holes.
Hawking proposed the concept of back hole entropy, which suggested that black holes have an internal structure and can be described by thermodynamic principles. This concept paved the way for further research into the connection between black holes and the laws of thermodynamics.
In addition, Hawking’s research on the black hole information paradox was groundbreaking. He argued that information swallowed by a black hole is not destroyed, as previously thought, but instead preserved within the event horizon. This challenged the established beliefs about the nature of black holes and the laws of quantum mechanics.
Hawking was also a pioneer in using computer simulations to study the behavior of black holes. He created models that showed how black holes interact with other objects in space, such as stars and galaxies, and how they affect the universe’s structure.
Awards
If you are still wondering about “what did Stephen Hawking do” or what his achievements are, here is a list of awards he has been presented with because of his spectacular works in science.
Eddington Medal
Stephen Hawking was awarded the Eddington Medal in 1975 for his contributions to theoretical astrophysics. His research challenged some of the most fundamental concepts in physics. His work on black holes provided a new perspective on the way these objects behave, and he demonstrated that they are not just theoretical constructs but are, in fact, natural physical objects that exist in the universe.
The Albert Einstein Medal
This prestigious award is named after the iconic physicist Albert Einstein and is given to individuals who have significantly contributed to theoretical physics. Stephen Hawking received this award in 1979 for his groundbreaking work on black holes.
His theory of radiation challenged the long-held beliefs about the nature of black holes and opened up new avenues of research. Thus the award recognized Hawking’s contributions to the field of physics and cemented his status as one of the most influential scientists of his time.
Maxwell Medal
In 1976, the Institute of Physics awarded Hawking the Maxwell Medal. Hawking’s research on the nature of space and time earned him this prestigious honor.
The Copley Medal
Stephen Hawking received the Copley Medal in 2006 because of his contributions to physics and his efforts to promote science education. He passionately advocated for science education and believed everyone should have access to scientific knowledge.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States and is presented to individuals who have impacted the nation’s culture and security. Or other endeavors. Hawking received this award in 2009 for his black holes theory and efforts to raise awareness about ALS.
Companion of Honour
In 1989, Stephen Hawking was again presented with another prestigious British award because of his work in physics. It also highlighted his status as a respected member of the scientific community.
The Wolf Prize in Physics
In 1988, Hawking was given another Prize in physics for his similar achievement of research on black holes.
Prince of Asturias Award
The Prince of Asturias is an honor awarded annually in different categories in Spain. Hawking received this award for Scientific and Technical Research in 1989.
Adams Prize
The Adams Prize is a mathematics prize from the University of Cambridge. Hawking received a prize in 1966 for his work on singularities in the theory of relativity.
Hughes Medal
The Royal Society awards the Hughes Medal for significant contributions to electronics, optics, or related fields. Hawking received the medal in 1967 for his work on the properties of black holes.
Stephen Hawking: Pioneering the Future of Space Travel
Stephen Hawking, a legendary physicist, harbored an unquenchable curiosity about the universe. His fascination with space travel went beyond mere theorizing; he actively pursued making it a reality.
Hawking viewed space exploration as crucial for humanity’s survival. He argued that colonizing other planets could safeguard us from catastrophic events like asteroid impacts or climate change.
A strong advocate for interstellar travel, Hawking believed that new propulsion technologies were essential. He championed the development of light sails, which could enable spacecraft to reach speeds once deemed impossible.
In 2007, Hawking experienced zero gravity aboard a modified Boeing 727, defying his physical limitations. This zero-gravity flight was a personal triumph and a source of inspiration for millions.
Hawking’s commitment to space travel extended beyond personal experience. He was actively involved in projects like the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative, launched in 2016. This initiative aims to send tiny spacecraft to the Alpha Centauri star system, the closest star system to Earth.
Serving as an advisor to the project, Hawking strongly believed that interstellar travel was not only possible but essential for humanity’s future.
The iBrain
Knowing the role of iBrain while studying Stephen Hawking biography is critical to his successful life.
The iBrain was a revolutionary technology that allowed the renowned physicist and cosmologist to continue his work and communicate with the world despite his motor neuron disease. Neuroscientist Dr. Philip Low and his team developed the iBrain, a portable EEG device that records brain waves and translates them into commands that a computer can understand.
Hawking wore a headband with sensors that picked up his brain waves, which were then transmitted to a computer. Using software developed by Low’s team, Hawking could select letters and words on the screen to form sentences, which were spoken aloud by a speech synthesizer.
Hawking radiation
Hawking radiation is a phenomenon named after the late physicist Stephen Hawking, who proposed its existence in 1974. The theory suggests that black holes are not entirely black but emit radiation due to quantum effects at the event horizon.
According to the theory, pairs of virtual particles are constantly being created and destroyed around the event horizon of a black hole. Occasionally, one particle of the pair falls into the black hole while the other escapes. This escapee particle is what we observe as Hawking radiation.
The radiation emitted by a black hole is feeble and challenging to detect, so it has not yet been directly observed. However, the theory has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the universe.
It suggests that black holes slowly evaporate over time as they lose mass due to the emission of Hawking radiation. This process would take an incredibly long time for large black holes, but it could happen relatively quickly for smaller ones.
The discovery of Hawking radiation has profoundly impacted our understanding of black holes and the fundamental laws of physics. It has sparked new research and exploration into the behavior of these mysterious objects, and it continues to be an area of active investigation in theoretical physics.
Death
The world lost a brilliant mind and a scientific luminary when Stephen Hawking passed away in 2018. His contributions to physics and cosmology inspired countless people.
Hawking lived with ALS, and despite that immense challenge, he continued to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and share his insights with the world.
Conclusion
Stephen Hawking’s influence extended far beyond his revolutionary work as a physicist and cosmologist. His remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the world of science.
Hawking’s legacy is a testament to his pioneering research and unyielding spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges. He proved that even in the bleakest situations, hope and progress are possible. His journey highlights the power of determination, hard work, and a touch of serendipity.
By unraveling the mysteries of the universe, Hawking showed us that the quest for knowledge is boundless. His work continues to inspire future generations to reach for the stars and persevere through adversity.
In sum, Stephen Hawking’s contributions remind us that extraordinary achievements are within reach, even when the odds seem insurmountable. His life and work will forever inspire and illuminate the path for those who dare to dream big.
