Heinrich Rudolf Hertz – Germany

1886 – The German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857–1894) discovered electromagnetic waves and thereby proved Maxwell’s theory.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

In 1887, Heinrich Hertz designed abrilliant series of experiments to experimentally confirm Maxwell’s wave theory. He used a transmitter with a small gap as a spark gap connected to an induction coil for high-voltage generation. Hertz argued that if Maxwell’s predictions were correct, electromagnetic waves would have to be transmitted with each series of sparks.

Experimental Setup by Heinrich Hertz – Resonator with Tiny Spark Gap Used as Transmitter Induction Coil

The primary power supply consisted of galvanic cells. A magnetically self-interrupting coil fed an induction coil, creating a high voltage. A spark gap works as a transmitter, which generates electromagnetic waves. A resonator circuit with a tiny spark gap was able to register the electromagnetic waves. With this simple but ingenious experimental setup, Heinrich Hertz was able to demonstrate the electromagnetic waves predicted by Maxwell. In further experiments, he was also able to prove the properties similar to light, such as reflection and the possibility of bundling in a concave mirror.

1886 – The German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857–1894) discovered electromagnetic waves and thereby

proved Maxwell’s theory.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

In 1887, Heinrich Hertz designed a brilliant series of experiments to experimentally confirm Maxwell’s wave theory. He

used a transmitter with a small gap as a spark gap connected to an induction coil for high-voltage generation. Hertz

argued that if Maxwell’s predictions were correct, electromagnetic waves would have to be transmitted with each series of

sparks.

Experimental Setup by Heinrich Hertz – Resonator with Tiny Spark Gap Used as Transmitter Induction Coil

The primary power supply consisted of galvanic cells. A magnetically self-interrupting coil fed an induction coil, creating a

high voltage. A spark gap works as a transmitter, which generates electromagnetic waves. A resonator circuit with a tiny

spark gap was able to register the electromagnetic waves. With this simple but ingenious experimental setup, Heinrich

Hertz was able to demonstrate the electromagnetic waves predicted by Maxwell. In further experiments, he was also able

to prove the properties similar to light, such as reflection and the possibility of bundling in a concave mirror.