Definition

Proper noun * Robert Andrews Millikan: A United States physicist renowned for his groundbreaking experimental work in determining the charge of the electron and for his studies on the photoelectric effect.

Usage

• Robert Andrews Millikan is used as a proper noun to refer to the historical figure. It is typically used in academic, historical, and scientific contexts.
  • The oil-drop experiment, conducted by Robert Andrews Millikan, provided the first accurate measurement of the electron's charge.
  • In 1923, Robert Andrews Millikan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Advanced Usage

• The name can be used attributively to describe his work or achievements.
  • The Millikan oil-drop experiment is a classic demonstration in physics.
  • He received the prize for his Millikan-like precision in measurement.

Variants and Related Words

• Millikan (noun): A common shortened reference to Robert Andrews Millikan, especially when used attributively (e.g., the Millikan experiment).
• Millikanean (adjective, rare): Pertaining to or characteristic of Millikan or his work.

Synonyms

• Physicist
• Nobel laureate (in Physics, 1923)
• Experimentalist

Related Terms and Concepts

• Electron charge: The fundamental physical constant whose value he measured.
• Oil-drop experiment: His most famous experimental setup.
• Photoelectric effect: A phenomenon he studied extensively, providing verification for Einstein's theory.
• Cosmic rays: A term he coined for high-energy radiation from outer space, which he also researched.

Noun

1. United States physicist who isolated the electron and measured its charge (1868-1953)