Jean Baptiste Biot

Jean-Baptiste Biot (April 21 1774, Paris – February 3 1862, Paris) was a French physicist and mathematician who in the early 1800s studied the relationship between electrical current and magnetism (see Biot-Savart law), as well as the polarisation of light passing through chemical solutions.

Related Topics:
April 21 - 1774 - Paris - February 3 - 1862 - French - Physicist - Mathematician - 1800s - Biot-Savart law - Polarisation

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He was the first person to discover the unique optical properties of mica, and therefore the mica-based mineral biotite was named after him.

Related Topics:
Mica - Biotite

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In 1804 he made a hot-air balloon ascent with Joseph Gay-Lussac to a height of five kilometres in an early investigation of the Earth's atmosphere.

Related Topics:
1804 - Hot-air balloon - Joseph Gay-Lussac - Earth's atmosphere

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There is a small crater on the Moon that is named for him.

Related Topics:
Small crater - Moon

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The J. B. Biot who helped make and fly the Massia-Biot glider is a different person. See list of early flying machines.

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