Gordon Ferrie Hull facts for kids

Gordon Ferrie Hull (born October 7, 1870, in Garnet, Ontario, Canada – died October 7, 1956) was a brilliant Canadian-American scientist. He was a mathematician, a teacher, and a physicist. He is most famous for an important experiment he did in 1903. In this experiment, he proved that light actually pushes on things. This push is called radiation pressure.

Early Life and Education

Gordon Hull started his career as a teacher. From 1890 to 1891, he taught math and science at Hamilton Collegiate Institute in Ontario.

He then went to the University of Toronto. He earned his bachelor's degree there in 1892. After that, he became a physics Fellow at the same university, staying from 1892 to 1895.

Hull continued his studies at the University of Chicago. He earned his doctorate degree in physics there in 1897.

A Career in Science

After getting his doctorate, Gordon Hull became a physics professor. He taught at Colby College and then, from 1899 to 1940, at Dartmouth College. He also spent time researching at Cambridge University in England from 1905 to 1906. Later, he taught physics at Columbia University from 1909 to 1915.

Besides his teaching and research, Hull also served his country. He joined the army during both World War I (1918–1919) and World War II (1941–1944). He served as a major in the U.S. Army Ordnance Department.

The Famous Light Experiment

Gordon Hull is especially well-known for an experiment he did in 1903. He worked with another scientist named Ernest Fox Nichols. They were the first to clearly show that light exerts a push, or "radiation pressure."

Their special equipment for this experiment is now called the Nichols radiometer. Much of this original equipment is now kept safe in the Smithsonian museum. This was made possible by Gordon F. Hull, Jr., his son.

Later Life and Legacy

Gordon Hull married Wilhelmine Brandt on September 5, 1911. They had one son, Gordon Ferrie Hull, Jr.

Gordon Ferrie Hull passed away on October 7, 1956. This was also his 86th birthday. His work helped scientists better understand how light behaves.