Sheldon Glashow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sheldon Glashow
Glashow at Harvard in 2011
Born	(1932-12-05) December 5, 1932 (age 92) New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Cornell University (AB, 1954) Harvard University (PhD, 1959)
Known for	Electroweak theory Georgi–Glashow model GIM mechanism Glashow resonance De Rujula-Georgi-Glashow quark model Chiral color Very special relativity Trinification Weak hypercharge Weak mixing angle Criticism of Superstring theory
Spouse(s)	Joan Shirley Alexander ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	4
Awards	Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture (2017) Richtmyer Memorial Award (1994) Nobel Prize in Physics (1979) J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Prize (1977) Sloan Fellowship (1962)
Scientific career
Fields	Theoretical Physics
Institutions	Boston University Harvard University Texas A&M University California Institute of Technology Stanford University University of California, Berkeley
Thesis	The vector meson in elementary particle decays (1958)
Doctoral advisor	Julian Schwinger

Sheldon Lee Glashow (born December 5, 1932) is an American theoretical physicist. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his important work. He is a professor at Boston University and a retired professor at Harvard University. He also helps guide the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Early Life and Schooling

Sheldon Glashow was born in New York City on December 5, 1932. His parents were immigrants from Russia. He went to Bronx High School of Science and finished in 1950. A famous classmate of his was Steven Weinberg. Years later, Glashow and Weinberg would share the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Glashow earned his first degree from Cornell University in 1954. He then got his PhD in physics from Harvard University in 1959. His teacher there was Julian Schwinger, who also won a Nobel Prize. After his studies, Glashow worked at different universities. These included California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley. In 1966, he became a professor at Harvard.

Groundbreaking Research in Physics

Understanding Electroweak Forces

In 1961, Sheldon Glashow made a big step in physics. He helped create the theory of electroweak unification. This theory explains how two of the universe's basic forces, the electromagnetic and weak forces, are actually connected. He suggested a new particle, the Z⁰ boson, which was later found.

For this important discovery, Glashow, along with Steven Weinberg and Abdus Salam, received the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics. Their work is a key part of the standard model of particle physics.

Predicting the Charm Quark

Glashow also helped predict a new type of fundamental particle called the charm quark. He did this with his colleague, James Bjorken, in 1964. At that time, scientists knew about three quarks. Glashow and Bjorken suggested there must be a fourth.

Later, in 1970, their work led to the GIM mechanism. This idea helped explain why certain particle interactions were much rarer than expected. The prediction of the charm quark was very important for making the theories of quantum physics work correctly.

Exploring Grand Unified Theories

In 1973, Glashow and Howard Georgi proposed the first grand unified theory. This theory tried to combine the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces into one single force. They showed how these forces could fit together in a mathematical way.

Their theory also suggested that protons might not be stable forever. This was a new and exciting idea. This work laid the foundation for many future attempts to unify all the forces of nature.

Personal Life and Views

Sheldon Glashow is married to Joan Shirley Alexander. They have four children. He has family connections to other famous scientists, like Lynn Margulis and Carl Sagan.

Glashow has also spoken about the importance of science. In 2008, he was one of many Nobel laureates who asked President George W. Bush to support basic science research. He believes strongly in the power of science to help us understand the world.

Published Works

• The Charm of Physics (1991)
• From Alchemy to Quarks: The Study of Physics as a Liberal Art (1994)
• Interactions: A Journey Through the Mind of a Particle Physicist and the Matter of this World (1988)

Awards and Recognitions

• J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Prize (1977)
• Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)
• Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1980)
• Member of the American Philosophical Society (2002)

See also

In Spanish: Sheldon Lee Glashow para niños

• Neutral current
• Weak hypercharge
• List of Jewish Nobel laureates