Georg Ohm

Physics German 1789 – 1854 358 quotes

Formulated Ohm's Law, which states the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit.

Most quoted

"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."

— from Unknown

"Some gentlemen of science seem to believe that the only way to understand electricity is to be shocked by it. I prefer a more theoretical approach, less electrifying, perhaps, but certainly less hair-raising."

— from Attributed

"My law is like a good joke: simple, elegant, and once you hear it, you wonder why you didn't think of it yourself. And then you try to explain it to someone who doesn't get it, and it's no longer funny."

— from Attributed

All quotes by Georg Ohm (358)

The current strength is determined by the entire circuit, not by any single part alone.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The resistance of a wire of the same material varies inversely as its cross-sectional area.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

Ohm's law is not merely an empirical finding; it can be derived from fundamental assumptions about the nature of electricity.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The propagation of electricity is not instantaneous, although it is extremely rapid.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The unit of resistance should be named after the discoverer of this fundamental law.

Attributed later by others

Every new theory must expect opposition.

Letter 1826

The true method of scientific investigation is to proceed from the simple to the complex.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The mathematical treatment of physical phenomena is the key to understanding their essence.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

I have sought to express the laws of the galvanic circuit in the most general and comprehensive form.

Preface to Die galvanische Kette 1827

The conductivity of a material is a specific property, like its density or specific heat.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

In a parallel circuit, the total conductance is the sum of the individual conductances.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The work done by the current in a conductor is proportional to the square of the current, the resistance, and the time.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The heat produced in a wire by an electric current is proportional to the square of the current and the resistance.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

A circuit is a closed path through which electricity can flow continuously.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The tension of a galvanic cell depends on the materials of its electrodes and the electrolyte, not on its size.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The internal arrangement of a source of electricity affects its ability to produce a current in an external circuit.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The study of electricity requires both careful experiment and rigorous mathematics.

Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet 1827

The laws which I have discovered will, I hope, form a solid foundation for the future development of electrical science.

Preface to Die galvanische Kette 1827