Svante August Arrhenius was a Swedish physical chemist born on February 19, 1859, in Vik, Sweden, and died on October 2, 1927, in Stockholm. He is best known for his groundbreaking research in the field of electrolytic conductivity, which laid the groundwork for understanding how chemical reactions occur in solution, particularly through the concept of ions.
His most notable contribution to science is his theory of electrolytic dissociation, proposed in 1884, which outlined the behavior of electrolytes. Arrhenius postulated that certain compounds, when dissolved in water, dissociate into charged particles called ions, which are responsible for carrying electric current.
This theory revolutionized the understanding of chemical reactions, explaining the process at a molecular level and providing a quantitative explanation for the conductivity of electrolytes. For his discoveries, Arrhenius was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1903.
Aside from electrolytic dissociation, Arrhenius also made important contributions to the field of physical chemistry, particularly in the areas of acids and bases, equilibrium calculations, and reaction rates. He developed the concept of pH as a measure of acidity or alkalinity, and his work on reaction rates provided the foundation for the field of chemical kinetics.
Arrhenius' scientific achievements had a profound impact on various fields of chemistry and laid the groundwork for further advancements in chemistry and related disciplines. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern chemistry and his theories continue to be influential in scientific research to this day.
