André-Marie Ampère

Physics French 1775 – 1836 369 quotes

One of the founders of the science of classical electromagnetism, which he referred to as 'electrodynamics'.

Most quoted

"The most general law of electrodynamic action is that two elements of current attract or repel each other in the inverse ratio of the square of their distance, and in the direct ratio of the product of their lengths and of the sines of the angles which they make with the line joining them."

— from Théorie mathématique des phénomènes électrodynamiques, uniquement déduite de l'expérience, 1826

"The force between two current elements is proportional to the product of their lengths, to the product of the currents they carry, and to the sine of the angle between their directions, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them."

— from Mémoire sur la théorie mathématique des phénomènes électrodynamiques, uniquement déduite de l'expérience, 1826

"The facts are the only things that are certain in science, and the only way to arrive at truth is to observe them carefully and to deduce from them, by means of rigorous reasoning, the laws that govern them."

— from Essai sur la philosophie des sciences, ou Exposition analytique d'une classification naturelle de toutes les connaissances humaines

All quotes by André-Marie Ampère (369)

The future of physics lies in the study of the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Scientific correspondence 1820

I have been so happy to find that my experiments confirm my theories, and that my theories explain my experiments.

Letter to a colleague 1820

The most important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.

Attributed 1820

Observation is the best teacher.

Attributed 1820

The true method of discovery is to observe, to experiment, to generalize, and to verify.

Attributed 1820

Nature is the great book, and the universe is the great teacher.

Attributed 1820

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.

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Science is the pursuit of truth.

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

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I have never been able to understand why some people are so afraid of new ideas.

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The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

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Imagination is more important than knowledge.

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The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.

Attributed 1820

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

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The only source of knowledge is experience.

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I am not a genius. I am just a curious man.

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The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

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The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.

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The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics.

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Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.

Attributed 1820