Will Hawking or Penrose ever win Nobel Prize?

In summary, it is uncertain if Hawking or Penrose will ever win the Nobel Prize. Hawking may have a chance if his theories on black hole radiation can be confirmed, while Penrose's chances are slim unless he or someone else can develop a theory that can be tested with experiments. The Nobel committee has historically been hesitant to award prizes to theorists, and it may be a long time before Witten receives a Physics Nobel. If Penrose has not received one by now, it is unlikely he ever will, as the committee prefers to have strong experimental evidence before awarding a prize.
  • #1
Nenad
698
0
my question is simple: Will Hawking or Penrose ever win Nobel Prize? And if yes, when do you think it will come.
 
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  • #2
Hawking maybe, if they ever get to study a real black hole and confirm his radiation. Penrose I doubt it, unless he or somebody else brings home a TOE based on twistors that can be tested by genuine experiments and pass them. Even then he would share the prize with "whoever" (maybe Witten, for example).

The Nobel committee has historically been snotty to theorists. Einstein got his for the photoelectric effect, not relativity; others had to wait till some experimentalists confirmed their ideas. Witten has won the Field medal of the mathematicians - their equivalent of the Nobel - but it will be a long long time before they give him the Physics Nobel.
 
  • #3
If Penrose has not gotten one by now, I am afraid he never will.
 
  • #4
The Nobel committee likes to make sure that they're never wrong. They'll only award a prize if there is very strong experimental evidence.
 

1. Will Stephen Hawking or Roger Penrose ever win the Nobel Prize in Physics?

This question is asked frequently because both Hawking and Penrose are highly respected and influential physicists who have made significant contributions to the field.

2. What are the chances of Hawking or Penrose winning the Nobel Prize?

The chances of winning the Nobel Prize cannot be accurately predicted, as it is ultimately up to the Nobel Committee to decide. However, both Hawking and Penrose have been nominated multiple times and are considered top contenders for the prize.

3. What are the main reasons that Hawking or Penrose have not won the Nobel Prize yet?

There are a number of factors that contribute to the Nobel Prize selection process, including the specific criteria set by Alfred Nobel in his will, the opinions and biases of the Nobel Committee members, and the availability of other candidates in a given year. It is possible that Hawking and Penrose have simply been overshadowed by other worthy recipients in the years they were nominated.

4. What are some of the most notable achievements of Hawking and Penrose that make them potential Nobel Prize winners?

Both Hawking and Penrose have made groundbreaking contributions to the study of black holes and the understanding of the universe. Hawking's work on black hole radiation and Penrose's development of the singularity theorem are just a few examples of their significant achievements in the field of physics.

5. If Hawking or Penrose were to win the Nobel Prize, which specific breakthrough or discovery would it likely be for?

The Nobel Prize is typically awarded for a specific achievement or discovery, rather than a lifetime of work. In the case of Hawking and Penrose, it is possible that they could be recognized for their contributions to the study of black holes or for specific theories or equations they have developed. However, it is ultimately up to the Nobel Committee to decide the specific reason for awarding the prize.

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