Maxwell almost failed his qualifying exam

  • Thread starter Thread starter hh73
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Exam Maxwell
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

James Clerk Maxwell faced challenges during his academic journey, specifically regarding his qualifying exam, where he reportedly failed the first two questions. As a final opportunity, he was assigned a take-home task, which he completed by presenting the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities. This event is often misinterpreted, as Maxwell had a distinguished undergraduate career at Cambridge and produced the Maxwellian distribution in 1866 at the age of 24. The confusion may stem from his multiple attempts to prove the speed distribution, none of which he found satisfactory.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution
  • Familiarity with statistical mechanics
  • Knowledge of academic examination processes
  • Background in the history of physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution
  • Study the historical context of Maxwell's contributions to physics
  • Explore the significance of qualifying exams in academic careers
  • Investigate Maxwell's attempts at proving the speed distribution
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators in scientific disciplines, historians of science, and anyone interested in the academic challenges faced by prominent scientists like James Clerk Maxwell.

hh73
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I have heard a story from one of my professors that Maxwell had failed the first two questions of his qualifying exam, and as a last chance, they gave him a take-home assignment. Maxwell returned with the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities.

Can anyone verify also hearing a similar story (the details may be off) ? Can anyone find a source for this? I can't find anything on Google
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hh73 said:
I have heard a story from one of my professors that Maxwell had failed the first two questions of his qualifying exam, and as a last chance, they gave him a take-home assignment. Maxwell returned with the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities.

Can anyone verify also hearing a similar story (the details may be off) ? Can anyone find a source for this? I can't find anything on Google

According to wikipedia, he gave the Maxwellian distribution of velocities in 1866 (so he was 24 or 25 years old). He started university much younger (age 16) than this and apparently did extremely well there. What do you mean by "qualifying exam"?
 
Unlikely. Maxwell had a brilliant undergraduate career at Cambridge. I wonder if the confusion arises from Maxwell's three successive attempts to produce a proof of the speed distribution. He regarded none as satisfactory.
 

Similar threads

Is a Prof Failing 3/4 of the Senior Year Physics Class Normal? (Stat Phy)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
676
In search of a non-linear way to prepare students for this unique exam
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Graduate Boltzmann distribution and the number of molecules with a certain velocity
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Courses Report Professor Misconduct: Seeking Justice for Unfair Grading
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Graduate Schrödinger's original interpretation
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
Most probable values of the Maxwell Boltzman distribution
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Physics Badly Need Honest Advice to make an informed decision on my future in Physics
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Proving n^2 + 3n^3 is Θ(n^3) for n >= 0
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Sticky
How to use the "w" in www
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
5K