Martinus J.G. Veltman

Facts

Martinus J.G. Veltman

Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.

Martinus J.G. Veltman
The Nobel Prize in Physics 1999

Born: 27 June 1931, Waalwijk, the Netherlands

Died: 4 January 2021, Bilthoven, the Netherlands

Prize motivation: “for elucidating the quantum structure of electroweak interactions in physics”

Prize share: 1/2

Work

According to modern physics, four fundamental forces exist in nature. Electromagnetic interaction is one of these. The weak interaction—responsible, for example, for the beta decay of nuclei—is another. In the 1960s, a unified theory was formulated for these two forces: the electroweak interaction. However, certain problems still remained to be solved. In the early 1970s, Martinus Veltman and Gerardus t'Hooft formulated and tested a mathematical theory that further explained the electroweak interaction.

To cite this section
MLA style: Martinus J.G. Veltman – Facts. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2023. Sat. 2 Dec 2023. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1999/veltman/facts/>

Back to top Back To Top Takes users back to the top of the page

Nobel Prizes and laureates

Nobel Prizes 2023

Eleven laureates were awarded a Nobel Prize in 2023, for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. Their work and discoveries range from effective mRNA vaccines and attosecond physics to fighting against the oppression of women.

See them all presented here.
Illustration

Explore prizes and laureates

Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.