David Bates (physicist) facts for kids

Sir David Robert Bates (18 November 1916 – 5 January 1994) was a brilliant scientist from Northern Ireland. He was a talented mathematician and physicist who made big discoveries about our planet's atmosphere and space.

David Bates was born in Omagh, Ireland, in 1916. When he was about nine years old, his family moved to Belfast. He went to school there and later studied at Queen's University of Belfast. He became a research student, learning from a famous scientist named Harrie Massey.

Helping During World War II

During the Second World War, David Bates used his science skills to help his country. He worked on ways to protect ships from dangerous underwater bombs called mines. These mines could explode if a ship with a magnetic field passed over them. Bates helped develop methods to make ships "invisible" to these magnetic mines, keeping sailors safe.

A Career in Science

After the war, David Bates worked at University College London for several years. In 1951, he returned to Queen's University of Belfast. There, he started a brand new department focused on applied mathematics and theoretical physics. He led this department for many years. Even after he officially retired in 1982, he kept working as a professor until he passed away.

What Did He Study?

Sir David Bates made important discoveries in several areas of science:

• Atmospheric Physics: He studied the Earth's atmosphere, especially the upper layers. This helped us understand things like the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and how radio signals travel.
• Molecular Physics: He explored how tiny particles called molecules behave and interact.
• Interstellar Clouds: He also studied the giant clouds of gas and dust found between stars in space. His work helped explain the chemistry happening in these distant places.

Awards and Recognition

Sir David Bates received many honors for his amazing contributions to science:

• In 1970, he won the Hughes Medal, a special award given by the Royal Society in London.
• He was made a knight in 1978. This means he was given the title "Sir" for his great service to science.
• He was also a member of the Royal Society and the Royal Irish Academy, which are groups of top scientists.
• In 1974, he became an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

A Champion for Peace

Beyond his scientific work, David Bates was a strong believer in peace. He wanted Northern Ireland to be a place where everyone could live together peacefully, no matter their background. He even helped start the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, a political group that promotes unity and cooperation.

He was married to Barbara Morris in 1956, and they had two children.

His Legacy Lives On

Today, the Mathematics Building at Queen's University Belfast is named after Sir David Bates. This shows how important he was to the university.

Two special science awards have also been created in his honor:

• The David Bates Medal is given out every year by the European Geosciences Union. It recognizes scientists who make outstanding discoveries about planets and our solar system.
• The Institute of Physics gives out the David Bates Prize every two years. This award celebrates great achievements in the study of atoms, molecules, light, and plasma.

See also

• Alexander Dalgarno
• Atomic physics
• Molecular physics