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Wolfgang Pauli was a remarkable physicist who made significant contributions to quantum physics and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1945. A few rare facts about him: • He was raised as a Roman Catholic, but later became interested in mysticism and psychology. He had a long correspondence with Carl Jung, who analyzed his dreams and used them as a source of inspiration for his theory of synchronicity. • He was known for his sharp wit and his sarcastic criticism of other physicists' work. He coined the term "Pauli effect" to describe the tendency of scientific equipment to malfunction in his presence. He also invented the term "not even wrong" to dismiss theories that he considered meaningless or untestable. • He was fascinated by the number 137, which appears in various physical constants and equations. He believed that there was some deep significance behind this number, and he hoped to find a mathematical explanation for it. He died in room 137 of the Red Cross Hospital in Zurich.

On this day in 1687, Sir Isaac Newton publishes Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), one of the most significant works in the history of science. The Principia*states Newton's laws of motion, forming the foundation of classical mechanics; Newton's law of universal gravitation; and a derivation of Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion (which Kepler had first obtained empirically).

The Unexplained Disappearance of a Scientific Genius, Ettore Majorana 📑 Ettore Majorana, an Italian physicist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics, experienced a mysterious and perplexing disappearance that has baffled the scientific community for decades. In March 1938, at the age of 32, Majorana boarded a steamship named from Palermo to Naples, Italy. However, he never arrived at his intended destination, and his subsequent fate remains unknown. Majorana's scientific contributions include: Some of his scientific contributions are: • He applied Fermi’s statistical model of atomic structure (now known as the Thomas–Fermi model) to calculate the core electron energies and the fine structure splitting of atomic spectra12. • Discovered the phenomenon of autoionization in atomic spectra, which occurs when an electron in an excited state decays to a lower state by emitting another electron instead of a photon12. • Developed the Majorana equation, a relativistic wave equation for particles with arbitrary spin that is invariant under charge conjugation12. • Introduced the concept of Majorana fermions, which are particles that are their own antiparticles, such as neutrinos123. • Proposed a symmetric theory of electrons and positrons, in which both particles are described by the same field and can be created or annihilated in pairs123. • Contributed to nuclear theory by deriving the exchange force between two nucleons from a generalization of the Heisenberg model of ferromagnetism12. • Devised a method to represent the symmetric group and its representations using diagrams, now known as Young tableaux1 On March 25, 1938, Majorana sent a telegram to the director of the Physics Institute in Naples, Antonio Carrelli, announcing his resignation and his intention to leave for an unknown destination. On the same day, he bought a ticket for a boat trip from Palermo to Naples. He boarded the boat at 7 pm and was seen by some passengers during the voyage. On March 26, he arrived in Naples at 10 am and checked into the Hotel Bologna. He wrote another telegram to Carrelli, saying that he had changed his mind and that he would resume his work as usual. On March 27, he left the hotel without paying the bill and without taking his luggage. He was never seen again. His family and colleagues reported his disappearance to the police and started a search for him. Several clues and testimonies emerged, but none of them led to a definitive answer about his fate. One prevalent theory suggests that Majorana, plagued by personal and existential struggles, may have chosen to end his own life. This hypothesis is supported by a letter he wrote to a friend prior to his disappearance, expressing a desire to leave the world of academia behind. On the other hand, some propose that Majorana orchestrated his disappearance deliberately, seeking a life of solitude away from the scientific community. This hypothesis is bolstered by reports of sightings of Majorana in subsequent years, although these accounts have been largely unverified and remain inconclusive. Despite extensive investigations and ongoing searches by authorities, including efforts conducted by Majorana's family and dedicated researchers, no definitive answers have emerged so far.

Claude Shannon, the father of Information theory: Claude Shannon is widely recognized as the father of information theory. His groundbreaking work in the mid-20th century laid the foundation for modern communication systems and digital technology. Shannon's most influential contribution was his 1948 paper, "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," where he introduced the concept of information entropy. This measure allowed for the quantification of information and optimization of its transmission, revolutionizing fields such as telecommunication and data compression. Shannon's work on error-correcting codes enabled the reliable transmission of information even in the presence of noise or interference. This led to significant advancements in data storage and reliable communication systems. He also played a pivotal role in the development of digital computers. He applied Boolean logic to design logical circuits, which form the basis of modern computer architecture. His ideas and designs were instrumental in shaping the digital revolution we experience today. Shannon's scientific contributions as the father of information theory and computing transformed the way we communicate, paved the way for efficient data transmission, and laid the foundation for the digital technologies we rely on. His work continues to have a profound impact on various fields, making him a true pioneer of the Information Age.

The greatest Unsolved problems in Modern Physics. A Visual Thread 👇

Physics Photo Of the Day: First ever drawings of the moon made by Galileo Galilei after observing it through his telescope in 1609.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics, the most popular physics book ever written, are completely online. Read it here: Volume 1: feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/… Volume 2: feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/… Volume 3: feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/…