Sir Edward Victor Appleton was a British physicist awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1947 for his contributions to the understanding of the ionosphere. The spelling of his name is /sɜr ˈɛdwərd ˈvɪktər ˈæpltn/, where the stress is on the first syllable of "Edward", the second syllable of "Victor", and the first syllable of "Appleton". The first sound in "Edward" is the schwa /ə/, the "t" in "Victor" is silent, and the "e" in "Appleton" is pronounced as a short "i" sound /ɪ/.
Sir Edward Victor Appleton (1892-1965) was a British physicist and Nobel laureate who made significant contributions to the field of radio physics. He is known for conducting groundbreaking research on the Earth's ionosphere and its behavior.
The ionosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere located between 50 to 1000 kilometers above the surface. Appleton's work focused on understanding the ionosphere's structure and properties, particularly its ability to reflect and refract radio waves. His discoveries opened up new avenues in the field of wireless communication.
Appleton conducted experiments using a system called the Appleton-Hartree dip, which involved sending high-frequency radio waves vertically into the ionosphere and observing their behavior. His research enabled the identification of several layers within the ionosphere, such as the D, E, and F layers, each with their own unique characteristics.
For his significant contribution to the understanding of the ionosphere, Appleton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1947. His work played a crucial role in the development of radar technology during World War II and later contributed to advancements in satellite communication.
In addition to his contributions to ionospheric physics, Sir Edward Victor Appleton served as the principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh and was involved in various scientific organizations. His pioneering work and dedication to research have left a lasting impact on the field of radio physics and communication.