André-Marie Ampère
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 theory of electrodynamics is nothing but the science of the mutual action of electric currents.
I have not sought to explain the cause of the phenomena, but only to establish the laws according to which they are produced.
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.
Magnetism is nothing but electricity in motion.
All magnetic phenomena are produced by electric currents.
The direction of the current is from the positive pole to the negative pole, and the direction of the magnetic force is perpendicular to the current.
The action of a current on a magnet is the same as that of a magnet on a current.
The forces which produce electric and magnetic phenomena are of the same nature.
Nature is always simple and uniform in its laws.
The true method of science is to ascend from phenomena to laws, and from laws to forces.
The most important discoveries are those which open up new fields of research.
It is by observation and experiment that we must seek the truth.
The mind of man is capable of understanding the laws of the universe.
There is no royal road to science.
The more we know, the more we discover our ignorance.
The universe is a vast machine, governed by immutable laws.
The greatest pleasure in life is to discover something new.
The progress of science depends on the freedom of thought.
The true scientist is one who is never satisfied with what he knows.
The forces which act between electric currents are not due to any fluid, but to the motion of electricity itself.
Contemporaries of André-Marie Ampère
Other Physicss born within 50 years of André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836).