Johannes Bosscha
Encyclopedia
Johannes Bosscha Jr. was a Dutch
physicist
.
Bosscha came from a family long known for their academic achievements. His great-grandfather and grandfather were classical scholars. His father, Johannes Bosscha Sr. (1797–1874), was a professor of history and literature and also was minister of church-state relationships in two governments (1853–1861).
From 1844-1848 Johannes Jr. attended a Latin school in Amsterdam
, after which he enrolled at Leiden University
. In 1854 he obtained his doctoral degree with a thesis on galvanometry
. After a brief sojourn in Berlin
he returned to the physics department in Leiden.
Here he made important investigations on galvanic polarization and the rapidity of sound wave
s. He initiated the mechanical theory of electrolysis
, and he was one of the first (1855) to suggest the possibility of sending two messages simultaneously over the same wire. In 1858 he published "Conservation of Energy in Galvanic Currents", in which he applied the recently formulated first law of thermodynamics
to electrical phenomena.
In 1860, Boscha became chair of natural sciences at the Koninklijke Militaire Academie
in Breda
and in 1863 became a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
. In that year Thorbecke appointed him as inspector of secondary education for the southern part of the country, in which capacity he had much influence on Thorbecke's newly introduced schooling system, insisting, for example, on specialized classrooms for physicis and chemistry. In 1873 he accepted the chair of the physics department at the Polytechnic School in Delft
, which would turn into the Delft University of Technology
. In 1875 he published a three-volume Leerboek der natuurkunde (Text book of Physics) in which no higher math was used and which saw many editions.
In 1878 Boscha became director of the Polytechnic School. Heike Kamerlingh Onnes
was his assistant from 1878 to 1882, after which Kamerlingh Onnes became professor at Leiden University
. In 1885 Boscha needed to resign as director because of poor health.
His Verspreide Geschriften (Diverse Writings) were published in three volumes (Leyden, 1902).
. They had four daughters and two sons. The Bosscha Observatory
on Java
has been named after his son Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha
(1865–1928), who contributed much to the technical development of Indonesia
.
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
.
Bosscha came from a family long known for their academic achievements. His great-grandfather and grandfather were classical scholars. His father, Johannes Bosscha Sr. (1797–1874), was a professor of history and literature and also was minister of church-state relationships in two governments (1853–1861).
From 1844-1848 Johannes Jr. attended a Latin school in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, after which he enrolled at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
. In 1854 he obtained his doctoral degree with a thesis on galvanometry
Galvanometer
A galvanometer is a type of ammeter: an instrument for detecting and measuring electric current. It is an analog electromechanical transducer that produces a rotary deflection of some type of pointer in response to electric current flowing through its coil in a magnetic field. .Galvanometers were...
. After a brief sojourn in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
he returned to the physics department in Leiden.
Here he made important investigations on galvanic polarization and the rapidity of sound wave
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
s. He initiated the mechanical theory of electrolysis
Electrolysis
In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a method of using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction...
, and he was one of the first (1855) to suggest the possibility of sending two messages simultaneously over the same wire. In 1858 he published "Conservation of Energy in Galvanic Currents", in which he applied the recently formulated first law of thermodynamics
First law of thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics is an expression of the principle of conservation of work.The law states that energy can be transformed, i.e. changed from one form to another, but cannot be created nor destroyed...
to electrical phenomena.
In 1860, Boscha became chair of natural sciences at the Koninklijke Militaire Academie
Koninklijke Militaire Academie
The Royal Military Academy is the service academy for the Dutch Army and the Dutch Air Force. Located in Breda, the Netherlands, the KMA has trained future officers since 1828.-Description:...
in Breda
Breda
Breda is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance...
and in 1863 became a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences is an organisation dedicated to the advancement of science and literature in the Netherlands...
. In that year Thorbecke appointed him as inspector of secondary education for the southern part of the country, in which capacity he had much influence on Thorbecke's newly introduced schooling system, insisting, for example, on specialized classrooms for physicis and chemistry. In 1873 he accepted the chair of the physics department at the Polytechnic School in Delft
Delft
Delft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland , the Netherlands. It is located between Rotterdam and The Hague....
, which would turn into the Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology , also known as TU Delft, is the largest and oldest Dutch public technical university, located in Delft, Netherlands...
. In 1875 he published a three-volume Leerboek der natuurkunde (Text book of Physics) in which no higher math was used and which saw many editions.
In 1878 Boscha became director of the Polytechnic School. Heike Kamerlingh Onnes
Heike Kamerlingh Onnes
Heike Kamerlingh Onnes was a Dutch physicist and Nobel laureate. He pioneered refrigeration techniques, and he explored how materials behaved when cooled to nearly absolute zero. He was the first to liquify helium...
was his assistant from 1878 to 1882, after which Kamerlingh Onnes became professor at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
. In 1885 Boscha needed to resign as director because of poor health.
His Verspreide Geschriften (Diverse Writings) were published in three volumes (Leyden, 1902).
Personal life
In 1855 he married Paulina Emilia Kerkhoven in the town of VoorstVoorst
Voorst is a municipality and a town in the eastern Netherlands.- Population centres :* Appen * Bussloo...
. They had four daughters and two sons. The Bosscha Observatory
Bosscha Observatory
Bosscha Observatory is the oldest observatory in Indonesia. The observatory is located in Lembang, West Java, approximately north of Bandung. It is situated on a hilly six hectares of land and is above mean sea level plateau...
on Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
has been named after his son Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha
Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha
Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha, sometimes known as KAR Bosscha or Ru Bosscha was a planter, philanthropist and administrator of the Malabar Plantation in Bandung, Indonesia....
(1865–1928), who contributed much to the technical development of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.