Friedrich Stromeyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Friedrich Stromeyer
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Friedrich Stromeyer
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| Born | 2 August 1776 |
| Died | 18 August 1835 (aged 59) Göttingen, Kingdom of Hanover
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| Nationality | German |
| Alma mater | University of Göttingen |
| Known for | discovering Cadmium |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemist |
| Institutions | University of Göttingen |
| Doctoral advisor | Johann Friedrich Gmelin Louis Nicolas Vauquelin |
| Doctoral students | Robert Bunsen Eilhard Mitscherlich |
| Influenced | Leopold Gmelin |
Friedrich Stromeyer (born August 2, 1776 – died August 18, 1835) was an important German chemist. He is most famous for discovering the chemical element cadmium.
Since 1982, a special award called the Friedrich Stromeyer Prize has been given in Germany. This prize honors great achievements in chemistry.
Contents
Life and Discoveries
Friedrich Stromeyer was born in Göttingen, Germany, on August 2, 1776. His father, Dr. Ernerst Johann Friedrich Stromeyer, was a professor of medicine at Göttingen University.
Early Life and Education
Friedrich studied chemistry and medicine. He went to universities in Göttingen and Paris. In 1800, he earned his medical degree from the University of Göttingen. His teachers included famous chemists like Johann Friedrich Gmelin and Louis Nicolas Vauquelin.
Professor and Inspector
After finishing his studies, Stromeyer became a professor at the University of Göttingen. He also worked as an inspector for pharmacies. This meant he checked to make sure they were following rules and doing things correctly. One of his students was Robert Bunsen, who later became a very famous chemist too.
Discovering Cadmium
In 1817, Friedrich Stromeyer made his biggest discovery. He was studying compounds that contained zinc. He found a new element mixed in with these zinc compounds. He named this new element cadmium. Cadmium is often found in small amounts as an impurity in zinc.
Other Chemical Work
Stromeyer also made other important contributions to chemistry. He was the first to suggest using starch to test for free iodine. He also studied the chemistry of arsine and bismuthate salts.
In 1819, he was the first scientist to describe a mineral called eudialyte.
Honors and Legacy
In 1832, a mineral was named in his honor. The mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant named it stromeyerite. This was a way to remember Stromeyer's important work in chemistry and minerals.
Friedrich Stromeyer passed away in Göttingen on August 18, 1835, when he was 59 years old.
