Gilbert Newton Lewis Quotes

Powerful Gilbert Newton Lewis for Daily Growth

About Gilbert Newton Lewis

Gilbert Newton Lewis (September 30, 1875 – January 29, 1946) was a renowned American physical chemist, best known for his contributions to thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and the study of the electronic structure of atoms. Born in Burlington, Vermont, Lewis grew up in nearby Watertown, where he developed an early fascination with mathematics and science. Lewis earned his B.S. degree from Yale University in 1896, before proceeding to Cambridge University as a Marshall Scholar, where he worked under the guidance of renowned chemist William Ramsay. He then returned to the United States and taught at Johns Hopkins University before moving to Harvard University in 1912. One of Lewis' most significant contributions to chemistry was his development of the Lewis structure, a way of representing the covalent bonds between atoms using dots or dashes to indicate shared electrons. In 1916, he and Irving Langmuir introduced the concept of octet rule, which states that most atoms tend to form eight electron groups in their outer shells. In 1923, Lewis proposed the concept of a bond as an electrovalent or covalent force between two atoms sharing electrons. This idea formed the basis for the theory of valence bonds, which helped explain molecular structure and chemical reactions. Lewis also contributed to the understanding of thermodynamics through his work on the third law of thermodynamics, which he proposed in 1907. The law states that the entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero temperature is exactly zero. Throughout his career, Lewis was a prolific author and researcher. His major works include "The Thermodynamics of Gas Mixtures" (1907), "Valence: The Chemistry of the Atom" (1923), and "Thermodynamics and the Free Energy of Chemical Substances" (1923). Lewis' work has had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry, making him one of the most influential chemists of the 20th century.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more a man has to be what he is, the less he can afford to be anything else."

This quote by Gilbert Newton Lewis suggests that the more an individual's identity or character is defined, the fewer options they may have for pretending or presenting themselves differently. In other words, when a person truly understands who they are, they cannot (or should not) compromise their authenticity by trying to be someone else. This idea underscores the importance of self-awareness and embracing one's true nature in life.

"Energy and fatigue are the two sides of the same coin Energy is temporary, transitory. Fatigue is permanent and cumulative."

This quote by Gilbert Lewis highlights the dual nature of energy and fatigue. Energy is a transient state, it's temporary and can be replenished, much like how a battery can be recharged. On the other hand, fatigue is persistent and accumulative, meaning it builds up over time and does not easily dissipate or recover. This underscores the idea that while we may have periods of high energy, we must also recognize the importance of rest and recovery to avoid long-term exhaustion or burnout.

"Matter is primarily an abstraction."

Gilbert N. Lewis's statement "Matter is primarily an abstraction" implies that the concept of matter, as we understand it in physical sciences – solid, liquid, gas – is a simplified model used to explain the behavior of substances. In reality, matter at its most fundamental level consists of tiny particles like atoms and molecules, which can't be directly observed or touched without using sophisticated tools. Thus, our understanding of matter is primarily derived from abstract theories and models, rather than tangible entities.

"The universe tends towards entropy, but life strives against it."

The quote "The universe tends towards entropy, but life strives against it" by Gilbert Lewis suggests that while the natural state of the universe is a gradual increase in disorder (entropy), living organisms strive to maintain order and complexity for survival and growth. In essence, life's persistent effort to thrive and evolve defies the tendency towards decay and chaos found in the larger cosmos. This underscores the remarkable resilience and adaptability of life as it constantly works against the relentless march of entropy.

"Give a person a new idea and to convince him that it is his own."

This quote by Gilbert Newton Lewis emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals with innovative thoughts, rather than imposing them directly. By making someone believe an idea is their own, we foster creativity, critical thinking, and ownership over the concept. This encourages the individual to fully embrace the idea, thereby increasing the likelihood of its successful implementation or further development. In essence, it's a strategy that fosters personal growth and innovation by tapping into people's inherent desire for self-expression and autonomy.

Sometimes I think that our laboratories are but little earthworks which men build about themselves, and whose puny tops too often conceal from view the Olympian heights; that we who work in these laboratories are but skilled artisans compared with the man who is able to observe and to draw accurate deductions from the world about him.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

Sometimes, I Think, Accurate, Puny

We frequently define an acid or a base as a substance whose aqueous solution gives, respectively, a higher concentration of hydrogen ion or of hydroxide ion than that furnished by pure water. This is a very one sided definition.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

Substance, Very, Frequently, Respectively

We may say that a basic substance is one which has a lone pair of electrons which may be used to complete the stable group of another atom, and that an acid is one which can employ a lone pair from another molecule in completing the stable group of one of its own atoms.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

May, Which, Employ, Electron

Since hydrogen is a constituent of most of our electrolytic solvents, the definition of an acid or base as a substance which gives up or takes up hydrogen ion would be more general than the one we used before, but it would not be universal.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

More, Before, Which, Base

It must be admitted that science has its castes. The man whose chief apparatus is the differential equation looks down upon one who uses a galvanometer, and he in turn upon those who putter about with sticky and smelly things in test tubes.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

Turn, About, Apparatus, Putter

In the snobbery of science, each branch attempts to rise in the social scale by imitating the methods of the next higher science and by ignoring the methods and phenomena of the sciences beneath.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

Next, Beneath, Social, Phenomena

To inquire into the origin of life is like seeking the origin of electrical machinery or the origin of music. Every increase in complexity of arrangement, of form, of substance, leads to new and often incalculable properties.

- Gilbert Newton Lewis

New, Complexity, Inquire, Incalculable

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.