Alexey Bachinsky

Alexey Bachinsky

Soviet physicist, professor at Moscow University
Date of Birth: 21.03.1877

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Academic Career
  3. Loss of Vision and Continued Research
  4. Educational Contributions
  5. Publication of Physics Materials
  6. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Alexey Bachinsky was born on March 21 (Old Style), 1877, in the town of Kholm, Lublin Governorate, Russian Empire, to a Ukrainian father who had immigrated from Austria-Hungary. From 1886 to 1895, he studied at the Kholm Gymnasium. In 1895, he moved to Moscow and enrolled in the Mathematics Department of the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of Moscow University.

Academic Career

In 1899, Bachinsky graduated from university and joined the Physics Department. In 1907, he became a Privatdozent at Moscow University. In 1918, he was appointed Professor of Physics at Moscow University, teaching advanced courses in thermodynamics, statistical physics, and other branches of physics.

Loss of Vision and Continued Research

In 1930, Bachinsky lost his sight due to a severe illness. Despite this, he continued his scientific research with the help of his daughter. His work focused on molecular physics and thermodynamics, including the study of surface tension and viscosity of liquids. In 1912, he established the law of viscosity for fluids (Bachinsky's Law).

Educational Contributions

Bachinsky was one of the organizers of the first Soviet scientific-pedagogical center, the Central Institute of Physics and Education (1919). He authored school curricula and numerous textbooks. His textbooks "Physics for Secondary Educational Institutions" (1915-18) and "Physics in Three Books" (1925, 1931) were the first to use the principles of molecular-kinetic and electron theories to explain physical phenomena.

Publication of Physics Materials

Bachinsky also authored one of the first problem solvers in physics for secondary schools (1923, 1928) and co-authored reference books for teachers and students (1928, 1941, 1951-52). He initiated and edited the "Workers' School Library" (1926-31), a series of books on physics and technology for students.

Legacy

Bachinsky's textbooks and teaching methods had a significant influence on the teaching of physics in secondary schools. His work on surface tension and viscosity remains valuable to this day.

© BIOGRAPHS