Patrick Joseph Nolan facts for kids

Patrick Joseph Nolan (born August 11, 1894 – died December 28, 1984) was an important Irish scientist. He was a physicist who studied the atmosphere, just like his older brother, John James Nolan. In 1971, he received a special award called the Boyle Medal from the Royal Dublin Society.

Early Life and Education

Patrick Nolan was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, in 1894. He went to University College Dublin for his studies. He was a very good student, earning his first degree (BSc) in 1914. He was even first in his class! He then got his master's degree (MSc) in 1915.

In 1917, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to do research at the famous Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. This lab was led by the well-known scientist Ernest Rutherford at the time. In 1922, Patrick married Una Hurley. They did not have any children. He was also the uncle of the artist Evin Nolan.

A Career in Science

From 1921 to 1928, Patrick Nolan worked as a lecturer. He taught experimental physics at St Patrick's College in Maynooth. He then spent the rest of his career at University College Dublin (UCD). He earned his PhD there in 1922.

In the 1930s and 1940s, he worked closely with his brother John. They studied things like ionization and how electricity behaves in the atmosphere. They also worked with many students.

Important Discoveries

Patrick Nolan became a Professor of Geophysics in 1954. He retired from his work in 1964. He wrote many scientific papers. These papers were about how tiny particles in the air get their electric charge. He also studied how these particles combine.

One of his most famous achievements was in the 1940s. He helped create the Photoelectric Nucleus Counter with L. W. Pollak. This special device was used for a long time. It helped scientists measure tiny particles in the air. These particles are called cloud condensation nuclei. They are important for how clouds form.

Nolan also served on the Governing Board of the School of Cosmic Physics. This was at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. He was part of this board from 1947 to 1981.

Sources

• O'Connor, Thomas C. (2001). The Evolution of Condensation Nucleus Counters, Department of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway
• The Royal Dublin Society: Patrick J. Nolan
• McCartney, Mark and Whitaker, Andrew (2003). Physicists of Ireland: Passion and Precision Bristol and Philadelphia : Institute of Physics, ISBN: 0750308664