Physics Legacy: The Bragg Family's Nobel Prize-Winning Contributions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around notable physicists and their familial connections, particularly focusing on those who have made significant contributions to physics and received Nobel Prizes. It includes various anecdotes and historical references related to the legacies of these families.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention the execution of Erwin Planck, son of Max Planck, for attempting to assassinate Hitler, prompting a discussion about the "relativity" of physicists.
  • Others bring up Hugh Everett's son, who is a rock star and featured in a documentary about his father, along with links to their Wikipedia pages.
  • John Baez is noted to be a cousin of Joan Baez and Mimi Fariña.
  • It is mentioned that three of Charles Darwin's children became members of the Royal Society in various scientific fields.
  • A participant shares a personal anecdote about Newton's niece, suggesting her charm increased Newton's popularity.
  • Olivia Newton-John is identified as the granddaughter of Max Born, with some expressing admiration for her legacy.
  • Elsa Löwenthal, a cousin of Einstein, is noted for marrying a famous physicist, with a later post mentioning Feynman's adopted daughter being related to a Nobel Prize winner.
  • Discussion includes the Bragg family, highlighting that both father and son shared a Nobel Prize for their contributions to physics.
  • The Curie family is discussed, noting multiple Nobel Laureates and their descendants in various scientific fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share various anecdotes and historical facts, but there is no consensus or resolution regarding the significance or implications of these familial connections in the context of physics.

Contextual Notes

Some claims are based on personal anecdotes or historical references that may lack detailed verification or context.

Loren Booda
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I heard that a son [Erwin] of Max Planck was executed for trying to assassinate Hitler.

What notables have you learned about the "relativity" of physicists?
 
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John Baez is cousin to Joan Baez and Mimi Fariña.
 
Newton's niece was a real looker and very charming. When she moved into his home Newton became a much more popular physicist than he'd ever been before she joined him.
 
Olivia Newton-John is Max Born's granddaughter.
 
Einstein had a cousin, Elsa Löwenthal, who married a famous physicist.
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
Einstein had a cousin, Elsa Löwenthal, who married a famous physicist.
Feynman's adopted daughter, Michelle, ended up being closely related to a Nobel Prize winner.
 
chronon said:
Olivia Newton-John is Max Born's granddaughter.

I just heard about this and was going to make a post. How about that? I looooooved Olivia. It seems fitting. :approve:

I guess you could say a star is Born! And now I understand why they named her Newton.
 
  • #10
If Olivia Newton-John married John Travolta she'd be Olivia Newton-John Travolta.
 
  • #11
The physics family that exhibited wave-particle duality: J.J Thompson won a Nobel prize for showing that the electron is a particle; G. P. Thompson, J.J.'s son, won a Nobel prize for showing the electron is a wave.
 
  • #12
Niels Bohr's son Aage became a nuclear physicist and won a Nobel Prize.
 
  • #13
The Curie family: Marie and Pierre (both physics Nobel Laureates), their daughter Irene and husband Frederic Joiliot, - Nobel prize in chemistry. Irene's & Frederic's daughter Helene is currently a nuclear physicist at University of Paris. Helene's brother Pierre is a biophysicist. Helene's son Yves is an astrophysicist.
 
  • #14
Bragg father and son - they both shared a Nobel I think.
 

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