PHYSICISTS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Coulomb, Charles Augustin de (1736-1806) French physicist, born at Angoulême, famous for his experiments on friction and the invention of the torsion balance for measuring the force of magnetic and electrical attraction. His experiments in electrostatics using the torsion balance led to the discovery of the inverse square law that bears his name (see Coulomb's law). He also showed that the charge on a charged conductor lies solely on its surface. In early life Coulomb entered the engineers, and served some time at Martinique. In 1777 he gained an Academy prize by a work on magnetic needles, and again two years later by the Théorie des Machines simples. For speaking the truth about a projected canal in Britanny, he was for some time imprisoned. He lived in retirement during the Revolution and became a member of the Institute in 1804. The SI unit of charge, the coulomb, is named after him. Related category    • PHYSICISTS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP