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Latest revision as of 23:02, 24 May 2026


Fritz London
Fritz London in 1928
Fritz London in 1928
Born 7 March 1900
Breslau, German Empire
Died 30 March 1954
Durham, North Carolina, United States


Known for London dispersion forces; London equations; quantum theory of chemical bonding

Fritz Wolfgang London (7 March 1900 - 30 March 1954) was a German-born physicist whose work connected quantum mechanics with chemical bonding, intermolecular forces, and superconductivity. He is especially known for explaining dispersion forces as a quantum effect and, with his brother Heinz London, for formulating the London equations of superconductivity.

Quantum chemistry

London's treatment of intermolecular attraction showed how temporary quantum fluctuations in electron distributions can produce attractive forces between neutral atoms and molecules. These London dispersion forces became a standard part of physical chemistry and molecular physics.

In the Quantum Collection, London is linked with:

Superconductivity

The London equations gave an early phenomenological quantum description of superconductors. They helped explain the Meissner effect and guided later microscopic theories of superconductivity.

See also

References



Author: Harold Foppele