 |
Viktor GoldshmidtChemist and geologist, one of the founders of geochemistry and crystal chemistry.
Date of Birth: 27.01.1888
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Scientific Contributions
- Crystal Chemistry
- Earth's Interior
- Contact Metamorphism
- Later Years and Death
- Posthumous Legacy
Victor Moritz Goldschmidt: Pioneer of Geochemistry and Crystal Chemistry
Early Life and Education
Victor Moritz Goldschmidt was born in Zurich on January 27, 1888. The son of Heinrich J. Goldschmidt, a chemistry professor, and Amelie Koehne, he was named after his father's teacher, Victor Meyer. In 1901, the Goldschmidt family relocated to Norway, where Heinrich had secured a professorship in chemistry at the University of Oslo.
Scientific Contributions
GeochemistryGoldschmidt's seminal work, "Geochemische Verteilungsgesetze der Elemente," laid the foundations of geochemistry. He proposed the geochemical classification of elements and formulated Goldschmidt's Law of Isomorphism, which governs the substitution of elements in crystals.
Crystal Chemistry
Goldschmidt's extensive research on atomic and ionic radii significantly advanced crystal chemistry. His theories played a crucial role in understanding the structures of minerals and their chemical compositions.
Earth's Interior
Goldschmidt developed an early theory on the composition and structure of Earth's interior. His predictions about the abundance of elements in the crust and mantle were remarkably accurate.
Contact Metamorphism
In his first scientific paper, "Contact Metamorphism in the Vicinity of Oslo," Goldschmidt applied thermodynamic principles to geological phenomena. This work marked a groundbreaking approach to understanding geological processes.
Later Years and Death
Nazi Occupation and EscapeDuring the German occupation of Norway, Goldschmidt was arrested. However, he was rescued by the Norwegian Resistance before being sent to a concentration camp. He fled to Sweden and later to England, where his relatives lived.
Posthumous Legacy
Goldschmidt returned to Oslo after the war and passed away on March 20, 1947, at the age of 59. His magnum opus, "Geochemistry," was edited and published posthumously in England in 1954.
Goldschmidt's pioneering work continues to shape the fields of geochemistry and crystal chemistry. His legacy lives on through his foundational theories, which have guided generations of scientists in unraveling the mysteries of Earth's geological processes.
