C.V. Raman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, revolutionized science with his discovery of the Raman Effect. Celebrated annually on National Science Day, his contributions continue to inspire future generations.
What did C.V. Raman discover?
C.V. Raman discovered the Raman effect, which happens when light passes through a material and gets scattered. In this process, some of the scattered light changes color, meaning its wavelength is different from the original light. This change occurs due to interactions with the molecules in the material.
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, known as C.V. Raman, was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, southern India. His father was a lecturer in mathematics and physics, immersing Raman in a scholarly environment from an early age. His groundbreaking research greatly impacted both India and the world.
Raman is best known for discovering the Raman Effect, a significant contribution to physics that earned him the Nobel Prize in 1930. To honor his legacy, India celebrates National Science Day on February 28 each year.
Early Life and Education
C.V. Raman was born on November 7, 1888, his father, Chandrasekhara Ramanathan Iyer, teaching at a college in Vishakhapatnam. His mother was Parvathi Ammal. An exceptional student, he completed his matriculation at just 11 and graduated from Presidency College in 1904, being the only student to achieve a first division. He later earned a Master’s degree in Physics, breaking academic records. In 1907, he married Lokasundari Ammal and had two sons, Chandrasekhar and Radhakrishnan.
Career Journey
Encouraged by his father, Raman took the Financial Civil Services exam and topped it. In 1907, he moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata) to work as an assistant accountant general. Despite a demanding job, he pursued his passion for research at the Indian Association for Cultivation of Sciences, often working late into the night. Even with limited lab resources, he published research in top journals like Nature and Physics Review, focusing on vibrations and acoustics.
In 1917, he became the first Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta. After 15 years there, he joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, serving from 1933 to 1948. He later founded the Raman Institute of Research, which he directed.
Key Discoveries and Contributions
In 1926, Raman started the Indian Journal of Physics and supported the Indian Academy of Sciences, serving as its first president. His 1922 work on “Molecular Diffraction of Light” culminated in the Raman Effect, discovered on February 28, 1928. This discovery revealed that light changes its wavelength when passing through transparent materials.
Raman’s research also included studies on light diffraction, crystal dynamics, and the properties of diamonds and iridescent materials. His diverse interests spanned optics, colloids, and human vision.
Awards and Recognition
Raman received numerous accolades, including: 1. Fellow of the Royal Society (1924) 2. Knighted (1929) 3. Nobel Prize in Physics (1930) 4. Franklin Medal (1941) 5. Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award (1954) 6. Lenin Peace Prize (1957).
His discovery was recognized as an International Historic Chemical Landmark in 1998. National Science Day is celebrated in India each year on February 28 to commemorate his achievements.
C.V. Raman passed away on November 21, 1970, at the Raman Research Institute. His dedication to science and remarkable achievements established him as a pioneer in physics, making India proud as its first Nobel laureate in the field. His legacy continues to inspire future generations.
