On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics". Learn more about the Nobel Prize in Physics from 1901 to 2017.
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Number of Nobel Prizes in Physics111 Nobel Prizes in Physics have been awarded since 1901. It was not awarded on six occasions: in 1916, 1931, 1934, 1940, 1941, and 1942. Why were the Nobel Prizes not awarded in those years? In the statutes of the Nobel Foundation it says: "If none of the works under consideration is found to be of the importance indicated in the first paragraph, the prize money shall be reserved until the following year. If, even then, the prize cannot be awarded, the amount shall be added to the Foundation's restricted funds." During World War I and II, fewer Nobel Prizes were awarded. |
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Shared and Unshared Nobel Prizes in Physics47 Physics Prizes have been given to one Laureate only. Why is that? In the statutes of the Nobel Foundation it says: "A prize amount may be equally divided between two works, each of which is considered to merit a prize. If a work that is being rewarded has been produced by two or three persons, the prize shall be awarded to them jointly. In no case may a prize amount be divided between more than three persons." |
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Number of Nobel Laureates* in PhysicsThe Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to 207 Laureates 1901-2017. As John Bardeen has been awarded twice there are 206 individuals who have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics since 1901. |
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Nobel Laureate BirthdaysJune is the month when most Nobel Laureates celebrate a birthday. |
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Average AgeThe average age of all Physics Laureates between 1901 and 2017 is 55 years. |
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Youngest Physics LaureateTo date, the youngest Nobel Laureate in Physics is Lawrence Bragg, who was 25 years old when he was awarded the Nobel Prize together with his father in 1915. |
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Oldest Physics LaureateThe oldest Nobel Laureate in Physics to date is Raymond Davis Jr., who was 88 years old when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2002. |
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Female Nobel Laureates in PhysicsOf the 198 individuals awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, only two are women. |
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Multiple Nobel Laureates in PhysicsJohn Bardeen is the only person who has received the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize twice, once in Physics and once in Chemistry.
See list of multiple Nobel Laureates within other Nobel Prize categories here |
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Posthumous Nobel Prizes in PhysicsThere have been no posthumous Nobel Prizes in Physics. From 1974, the Statutes of the Nobel Foundation stipulate that a Prize cannot be awarded posthumously, unless death has occurred after the announcement of the Nobel Prize. Before 1974, the Nobel Prize has only been awarded posthumously twice: to Dag Hammarskjöld (Nobel Peace Prize 1961) and Erik Axel Karlfeldt (Nobel Prize in Literature 1931). |
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Family Nobel Laureates in PhysicsMarried couples: (One of Marie and Pierre Curie's daughters, Irène Joliot-Curie , was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 together with her husband Frédéric Joliot.) Father & son: |
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Physics Laureates and their FieldsThe most common research field for Nobel Laureates in Physics is particle physics. It is the field for 34 Nobel Laureates. |
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The Nobel Medal for PhysicsThe Nobel Medal for Physics was designed by Swedish sculptor and engraver Erik Lindberg and represents Nature in the form of a goddess resembling Isis, emerging from the clouds and holding in her arms a cornucopia. The veil which covers her cold and austere face is held up by the Genius of Science. |
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The Nobel DiplomasEach Nobel Diploma is a unique work of art, created by foremost Swedish and Norwegian artists and calligraphers. |
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The Nobel Prize AmountAlfred Nobel left most of his estate, more than SEK 31 million (today approximately SEK 1,702 million) to be converted into a fund and invested in "safe securities." The income from the investments was to be "distributed annually in the form of prizes to those who during the preceding year have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind." The Nobel Prize amount for 2017 is set at Swedish kronor (SEK) 9.0 million per full Nobel Prize. |
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* Why are the individuals and organisations awarded a Nobel Prize called Nobel Laureates? |
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Links to more facts on the Nobel Prizes: |
First published 5 October 2009.