Max Planck

Max Planck was a German physicist. He was born in Kiel, Germany, in 1858. He is considered the father of quantum physics. His work changed how scientists understand energy and matter at the tiniest scales.

Early Life

Planck was a talented musician and scientist. His teacher told him not to study physics because everything had already been discovered. Planck went ahead anyway. He studied at the University of Munich and became a professor.

Big Discoveries

In 1900, Planck discovered that energy comes in tiny packets called quanta. This was the birth of quantum physics. His discovery helped explain how light and heat work. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918.

Fun Facts

• Planck's teacher told him there was nothing left to discover in physics.
• He was an excellent pianist and could have become a professional musician.
• The Max Planck Society, one of the world's top research organizations, is named after him.

Did You Know?

Planck did not set out to start a revolution in physics. He was trying to solve a small problem about how heated objects glow. His solution changed all of science forever.