Guillaume Amontons French physicist and mechanic Date of Birth: 31.08.1663 Country: USA

1. Biography of Guillaume Amontons
2. Early Life and Education
3. Contributions to Science
4. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Guillaume Amontons

Guillaume Amontons was a French physicist and mechanic, and a member of the French Academy of Sciences. He is known for his contributions to the concept of absolute zero (-273 °C), his pioneering work in the field of tribology, and his invention of the barometer.

Early Life and Education

Guillaume Amontons was born on August 31, 1663, in Paris, France. He came from a family of Norman lawyers who had moved to the capital city. At a young age, Amontons lost his hearing due to illness, which led him to pursue the study of science, particularly mechanics. He believed that understanding the principles of mechanics would allow him to avoid errors in his work. Despite his parents' disapproval, he began studying geometry, eventually mastering mathematics, physics, and celestial mechanics on his own. He also developed skills in drawing, surveying, and architecture.

Contributions to Science

Amontons gained practical experience as an engineer while working on various public projects. He then turned his attention to the study of mechanics, particularly Cartesian mechanics, which was prominent at the time. However, Amontons' true passion remained in the field of machines and instruments. In 1687, at the age of 24, he presented a new hygrometer to the French Academy of Sciences, receiving praise for his invention.

Amontons was described by Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle, a writer and scientist, as a simple, modest, sincere, and even naive individual who was not interested in using his achievements for personal gain. However, he was a talented experimenter with many innovative ideas. Some have compared Amontons to Edme Mariotte, the founder of the French Academy of Sciences, although Amontons remained a student of the Academy throughout his life, with famous astronomer Jean Le Fèvre as his mentor.

One of Amontons' experiments, recounted by Fontenelle, involved transmitting messages between two points using optical signals, which were intercepted and passed on by telescopes until reaching the final destination. Each letter of the alphabet had a corresponding signal, known only to the first and last stations. This ingenious invention, a sort of "optical telegraph," remained only in the records of the Academy.

Amontons continued to work on interesting instruments and inventions, including the barometer in 1695, the hygrometer in 1687, and the thermometer in 1695. These inventions proved particularly useful for the navy. It is evident that Amontons increasingly focused on the practical application of his principles and accumulated theoretical knowledge.

Later Life and Legacy

Guillaume Amontons passed away on October 11, 1705, at the age of 42, due to intestinal inflammation. He had felt perfectly healthy until his sudden illness, despite his hearing loss. His contributions to science and mechanics were highly regarded, and he was honored with a crater named after him on the Moon. Today, the panegyric written by Fontenelle in 1705 remains the only source of biographical information about this remarkable academic.