Alexis Thérèse Petit facts for kids
Alexis Thérèse Petit was a brilliant French scientist who studied physics. He was born on October 2, 1791, in Vesoul, France. He passed away in Paris on June 21, 1820.
Petit is famous for his work on how well engines, like those using air or steam, could work. He published his ideas in 1818. He also had important talks with another famous physicist, Sadi Carnot. These talks might have helped Carnot develop his ideas about heat engines. Petit is also well-known for the Dulong–Petit law, which he created with his friend and fellow scientist, Pierre Louis Dulong, in 1819.
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Life of a Young Genius
Petit was born in Vesoul, France. He was a very smart child. When he was just 10 years old, he showed he could pass the tough entrance exam for the École Polytechnique. This was France's most famous science school in Paris.
Helping Other Students
Before joining the main school, Petit went to a special prep school. Even there, he was so good that he helped his classmates. He acted as a "répétiteur," which means he helped them understand the lessons.
Starting College Early
In 1807, Petit joined the École Polytechnique. He was the youngest student allowed to enter. He finished his studies in 1809. He graduated "hors-rang," meaning he was better than all his classmates.
Becoming a Professor
After graduating, Petit stayed at the École Polytechnique. He became a teacher there. First, he helped teach math and mechanics starting in 1809. Then, he taught physics from 1810.
Youngest Physics Professor
He also taught for a while at Lycée Bonaparte. In 1814, he filled in for another professor, Jean Henri Hassenfratz. In 1815, Petit took over the job permanently. He became the second physics professor at the school. At just 23 years old, he was the youngest person ever to hold that position.
Working with Other Scientists
Petit and another famous scientist, François Arago, were brothers-in-law. This was because they married two sisters. In 1814, these two men worked together on a science paper.
The Dulong–Petit Law
Petit first worked with Pierre Louis Dulong for a science competition. This was for the Académie des sciences in 1815. The competition was about refrigeration.
Understanding Heat in Metals
Today, Petit is probably best known for the Dulong–Petit law. He and Dulong created this law together in 1819. It explains something surprising about how much heat different metals can hold. Almost a century later, Albert Einstein helped explain why this law worked.
Designing a Special Thermometer
Petit also created a special thermometer. He used weights with it. This tool helped him figure out how much different metals expanded when they got hot.
Early Passing
Sadly, Alexis Thérèse Petit died young. He passed away from tuberculosis when he was only 28 years old. This happened shortly after his wife also passed away. After his death, Dulong took over his job as physics professor at the Polytechnique in 1820.
See also
In Spanish: Alexis Thérèse Petit para niños
