Ludwig Boltzmann

Physics Austrian 1844 – 1906 497 quotes

Founder of statistical mechanics and entropy equation

Quotes by Ludwig Boltzmann

The greatest discovery is that which enables new ones.

Wisdom 1885

Entropy's increase is the universe's destiny.

Major work 1877

I depart with peace, knowing my work stands.

Suicide note 1906

The elegance of nature's laws inspires awe.

Essay 1900

The mean molecular speed is sqrt(8kT/pi m).

Early calculation 1868

Skeptics become believers when faced with evidence.

Comeback

The journey of science is collective.

Speech 1895

My heart aches from the weight of unanswered questions.

Last letter 1906

The Boltzmann relation for electrochemical potential.

Work on potentials 1877

Laughter echoes in the halls of discovery.

Humor

The statistical interpretation resolves paradoxes.

Book 1896

The purpose is to understand, not to conquer nature.

Interview 1880

In the quiet of night, equations sing.

Poetic

The legacy of Boltzmann is eternal in physics.

Self-reflection 1906

The recurrence paradox challenges determinism.

Major work 1877

I chuckle at the absurdity of absolute certainty.

Witty remark 1890

The microcanonical ensemble for isolated systems.

Early concept 1866

Truth is the child of time and experiment.

Aphorism

My soul finds rest in the logic of the universe.

Letter 1905

The diffusion constant D = (1/3) lambda v.

Paper 1873