Michio Kaku facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michio Kaku
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Kaku in 2020
|
|
| Born | January 24, 1947 San Jose, California, U.S.
|
| Education | Harvard University (BA) University of California, Berkeley (PhD) |
| Known for | Light-cone string field theory Physics of the Impossible Physics of the Future The Future of the Mind The God Equation |
| Spouse(s) | Shizue Kaku |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards |
|
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Theoretical physics |
| Institutions | City College of New York New York University Princeton University Institute for Advanced Study |
| Thesis | Spin and Unitarity in Dual Resonance Models (1972) |
| Doctoral advisor | Stanley Mandelstam Robert Pound |
Michio Kaku (born January 24, 1947) is an American physicist. He is also a great science communicator, meaning he helps explain complex science ideas to everyone. He writes books and appears on TV and radio.
Kaku is a professor of theoretical physics at the City College of New York. This means he studies the ideas and theories behind how the universe works. He has written many popular books about physics. Some of his books, like Physics of the Impossible (2008) and Physics of the Future (2011), became very popular.
He has hosted many TV shows for channels like the Discovery Channel and the Science Channel. In 2021, he received the Sir Arthur Clarke Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized his efforts to connect science with science fiction ideas.
Contents
Michio Kaku's Early Life and Education
Michio Kaku was born in 1947 in San Jose, California. His parents were Japanese-American. During World War II, his parents were held in a special camp called the Tule Lake War Relocation Center. They met there, and his older brother was born there.
How Michio Kaku Became a Scientist
Kaku became interested in physics after seeing a photo of Albert Einstein's desk. He learned that Einstein was trying to find a "unified field theory." This is a single theory that would explain all the forces in the universe. Kaku decided he wanted to help solve this mystery.
When he was in high school, Kaku built a small "atom smasher" in his parents' garage. He used old metal and miles of wire. This machine was powerful enough to create antimatter!
At a science fair, a famous physicist named Edward Teller noticed Kaku. Teller helped Kaku get a special scholarship. Kaku then went to Harvard University and graduated at the top of his physics class in 1968. He later earned his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972.
Military Service
During the Vietnam War, Kaku joined the United States Army in 1968. He stayed in the army until 1970. He completed his training but was never sent to Vietnam.
Michio Kaku's Work in Physics
.jpg)
Since 1972, Michio Kaku has been a professor of theoretical physics at the City College of New York. He has also worked at other famous places like Princeton University.
Kaku has written many important papers in physics journals. These papers cover complex topics like superstring theory. This theory tries to explain everything in the universe by saying that tiny, vibrating strings are the basic building blocks of matter. In 1974, Kaku and another physicist, Keiji Kikkawa, wrote the first papers about string theory in a special "field form."
Kaku has also written several textbooks about string theory and quantum field theory. These books help other scientists learn about these advanced topics.
Michio Kaku Explains Science to Everyone
Michio Kaku is best known for making science easy to understand for the public. He does this through his books, TV shows, and radio programs.
.jpg)
Popular Books by Michio Kaku
Kaku has written many popular science books.
- Hyperspace was a bestseller and was named one of the best science books by The New York Times.
- Parallel Worlds was a finalist for a major nonfiction award in the UK.
- His books Physics of the Impossible, Physics of the Future, The Future of the Mind, and The God Equation have all been bestsellers.
Michio Kaku on the Radio
.jpg)
Kaku hosts a weekly radio show called Exploration. It talks about science, peace, and the environment. He also hosts Science Fantastic, which is heard on many radio stations across the United States. This show is the only nationally broadcast science radio program.
Kaku often appears as a guest on other radio shows. He has said that he believes it is very likely that life exists beyond Earth.
Michio Kaku on TV and in Films
Kaku has appeared on many TV shows and networks. These include Good Morning America, Larry King Live, and 60 Minutes. He has also been on channels like CNN, Discovery Channel, and Science Channel.
In 2006, Kaku was a presenter in a BBC-TV show called Time. In 2007, he hosted 2057 on the Discovery Channel. This show looked at how medicine, cities, and energy might change in the future.
In 2008, he hosted Visions of the Future for BBC-TV. This show explored the future of computers, medicine, and quantum physics. From 2009 to 2010, he hosted Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible on the Science Channel. This show explored the real science behind science fiction ideas like time travel and warp drive.
Michio Kaku's Views on Important Issues
Michio Kaku often speaks out about important issues. He is concerned about climate change and the dangers of nuclear weapons. He also believes that science can sometimes be used in the wrong ways.
He has talked about the dangers of space junk and wants better ways to track it. Kaku strongly supports exploration of space. He thinks that humans might one day live on planets outside our solar system. However, he also believes that some NASA missions are too expensive.
Kaku learned about the dangers of nuclear war when he was a student. This made him decide not to work on developing new nuclear weapons. Instead, he chose to focus on research, teaching, and sharing science with the public.
He was a board member of Peace Action, an organization that works for peace. He also helped start his radio show, Exploration, to discuss science, war, peace, and the environment.
Michio Kaku's Personal Life
Michio Kaku is married to Shizue Kaku. They have two daughters. He enjoys figure skating as a hobby.
Michio Kaku's Books
- Kaku, Michio (2021). The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything.
- Kaku, Michio (2023). Quantum Supremacy: How the Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything.
Images for kids
-
Kaku in 2020
-
Kaku at the USA science and engineering festival in 2014.
-
Kaku with his book "Physics of the Impossible".
-
Kaku at a public event "Campus Party Brazil".
-
Kaku protesting in 1987.
See also
