Hans Christian Oersted was a Danish scientist born in 1777 who made significant contributions to the study of electromagnetism. He studied electromagnetism and promoted his research at the University of Copenhagen. In 1820, he discovered that an electric current produces a magnetic field, which was a pivotal finding that helped establish electromagnetism as a major area of study. Oersted continued his research on electromagnetism and other areas and received honors including the Royal Society of London's Copley Medal.

1. Hans Christian OerstedHans Christian Oersted
August 14, 1777-March 9, 1851August 14, 1777-March 9, 1851

2. ElectromagnetismElectromagnetism
 Hans Christian Oersted was extremelyHans Christian Oersted was extremely
interested in the idea of electromagnetism.interested in the idea of electromagnetism.
He studied electromagnetism and kickedHe studied electromagnetism and kicked
off his favorite topic off at the University ofoff his favorite topic off at the University of
Copenhagen.Copenhagen.
 He traveled the world to spread hisHe traveled the world to spread his
interest about electromagnetism.interest about electromagnetism.

3. FamilyFamily
 Hans Christian Oersted married Inger BirgitteHans Christian Oersted married Inger Birgitte
Ballum and had eight childrenBallum and had eight children
 His family and him were Danish, he was born inHis family and him were Danish, he was born in
Rudkobing, on the Danish island of LangelandRudkobing, on the Danish island of Langeland
 His father was a pharmacist by the name ofHis father was a pharmacist by the name of
Soren Christian Oersted. This is where HansSoren Christian Oersted. This is where Hans
gained a lot of his childhood information.gained a lot of his childhood information.

4. What did he do?What did he do?
 Hans earned his doctorate in 1799.Hans earned his doctorate in 1799.
 He was awarded honors for his papers onHe was awarded honors for his papers on
aesthetics and physics.aesthetics and physics.
 He became a professor at the UniversityHe became a professor at the University
of Copenhagen in 1806 and continued hisof Copenhagen in 1806 and continued his
research with electric currents andresearch with electric currents and
acoustics.acoustics.

5. What his idea was!What his idea was!
 During a demonstration he was giving heDuring a demonstration he was giving he
realized the need he was using wouldrealized the need he was using would
become very robotic when he turned onbecome very robotic when he turned on
the electric current. This excited him andthe electric current. This excited him and
began his studies in electromagnetism.began his studies in electromagnetism.

6. What did he say?What did he say?
 His explanation for his discovery is that, “It appears,His explanation for his discovery is that, “It appears,
according to the reported facts, that the electric conflict isaccording to the reported facts, that the electric conflict is
not restricted to the conducting wire, but that it has anot restricted to the conducting wire, but that it has a
rather extended sphere of activity around it .. the naturerather extended sphere of activity around it .. the nature
of the circular action is such that movements that itof the circular action is such that movements that it
produces take place in directions precisely contrary toproduces take place in directions precisely contrary to
the two extremities of a given diameter. Furthermore, itthe two extremities of a given diameter. Furthermore, it
seems that the circular movement, combined with theseems that the circular movement, combined with the
progressive movement in the direction of the length ofprogressive movement in the direction of the length of
the conjunctive wire, should form a mode of action whichthe conjunctive wire, should form a mode of action which
is exerted as a helix around this wire as an axis.” Havingis exerted as a helix around this wire as an axis.” Having
realized this he continued to research electromagnetism.realized this he continued to research electromagnetism.

7. Science LifeScience Life
 In 1825, Oersted made a significantIn 1825, Oersted made a significant
contribution to chemistry by producingcontribution to chemistry by producing
aluminum for the first time. While analuminum for the first time. While an
aluminum-iron alloy had previously beenaluminum-iron alloy had previously been
developed by British scientist and inventordeveloped by British scientist and inventor
Humphry Davy, Oersted was the first toHumphry Davy, Oersted was the first to
isolate the element via a reduction ofisolate the element via a reduction of
aluminum chloride.aluminum chloride.

8. AwardsAwards
 Not only did Hans Christian OerstedNot only did Hans Christian Oersted
receive honors on his papers, but he alsoreceive honors on his papers, but he also
received the Royal Society of London'sreceived the Royal Society of London's
Copley medal for his studies and theCopley medal for his studies and the
French Academy awarded him a prize ofFrench Academy awarded him a prize of
3000 gold francs.3000 gold francs.

9. ReferencesReferences
Reference 1: Magnet LabReference 1: Magnet Lab
http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/pionhttp://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/pion
eers/oersted.htmleers/oersted.html
Reference 2: Suite 101Reference 2: Suite 101
http://www.suite101.com/content/hans-christian-oershttp://www.suite101.com/content/hans-christian-oers
ID: 95009679ID: 95009679

10. ReferencesReferences
Reference 1: Magnet LabReference 1: Magnet Lab
http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/pionhttp://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/pion
eers/oersted.htmleers/oersted.html
Reference 2: Suite 101Reference 2: Suite 101
http://www.suite101.com/content/hans-christian-oershttp://www.suite101.com/content/hans-christian-oers
ID: 95009679ID: 95009679