The most significant genius: Emmy Noether

There are a few people in the history of physics who have made insights that have revolutionized our understanding of the interactions of math and physics and given us real insights into the meaning of our theories. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln tells us of the tale of Emmy Noether – one of the most significant geniuses of the last century.

[rogernoether]

Thank you very much for making this video about my great aunt. My dad's grandfather and Emmy's father were brothers. I don't fully comprehend these contributions since I spent most of my life studying history, politics and literature of China, but on behalf of my family I wish to thank you for your efforts to disseminate this knowledge.

[bumpty]

I think Noether's theorem was worthy a Nobel Prize in Physics. From a pure mathematical standpoint maybe it isn't very impressive, but the implications to physics are deep and many. Consider the importance of the role symmetry has played in particle physics since her time.

[scamp]

My 6 year old daughter loved this video. She insisted I subscribe. Thank you for making physics so accessible and talking about the contributions of women scientists and mathematicians.

[cedricveinstein]

Dr. Don Lincoln is absolutely my favorite physicist in YouTube because not only is he highly knowledgeable in physics, he also has this magic skill about conveying even complex matters in somewhat easy - or at least way easier compared to physicists on average - manner. Many many things still gives big headaches to me even after watching Don's videos, but I usually end up understanding the topic at least a bit better.

Also, he is a very humble person, so he does not make the presentation about him (which some physicists in YouTube unfortunately do), about how good he himself is when he understands difficult things. He tries his best to make less savvy people understand the complex matters and he puts a lot of effort in trying to achieve that, that's his only concern, nothing else. Keep up the good work and keep doing these insanely good videos.

[robertdevlin]

Hi Dr. Don! Thanks for your genuine and heartfelt explanation of Noether's theorem. As a physicist I've always thought of Noether's theorem as incredibly profound and fascinating. This video really helped me and my fiance (who is a math teacher) connect over the significance of Emmy Noether's contribution.

[YCCCm]

If you didn't think Fermilab was gonna cover this fascinating backstory, you have a whole Noether thing coming.

[xyzct]

This only covers her contribution to mathematical physics. Her contributions to pure mathematics were also stupendous.

[Sam_on_YouTube]

PBS SpaceTime just did some episodes on her. They were the foundation of the current series they are doing on symmetry and the standard model. Great videos.

[richarddeese]

Awesome! It's certainly time we gave women in science (and all women) their due. I'm compiling a list of women who have made significant contributions to math & science, & I can tell you, the list just keeps getting longer every time I blink. From biology & entomology to physics, math, cosmology, chemistry & more, women have made crucial discoveries at all level of human endeavor. Keep up the good work. Rikki Tikki.

[MrPranoybiswas]

Thank you Professor for informing us about great genius personalities..

[LeRationalRabbit]

If you have an interest in seeing Noether’s theorem applied to several problems in different branches of physics, you might like the very interesting book “Emmy Noether’s Wonderful Theorem” by Dwight Neuenschwander.

[benheideveld]

Dear Dr Don! I love you for creating this video. When hearing about her theorem in sophomore physics class in 1980, knowing the importance of conservation laws, and how easy they made kinematics computations, I could not understand why she wasn’t revered like Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein, at the top echelon of the Physics community. Why she wasn’t given the Nobel prize during her lifetime. I later read about her life, that we shouldn’t call tragic, because she got her prize. Her meta-law. And you, Sir, with the platform you created, you honored her like she should be honored. You get it! Dead center!

Thank you Dr. Don. You’re my hero!

[jcortese]

When I was in grad school, literally not a day went by where Noether's Theorem wasn't invoked. Not one problem could be addressed, not one conversation had, not one idea bandied, nothing at all could take place without Noether's Theorem.

And best of all, not only does her theorem equate symmetries with conserved quantities in an abstract sense, but she also provided a way to simply turn a mathematical crank and describe exactly what quantity is conserved. Her theorem isn't just an abstraction. It provides a way to generate the conserved quantity itself from a mathematical mechanism. Have you found a symmetry? Turn this crank she created, and the conserved quantity will fall out into your lap. She's the single most important figure in high energy and particle physics, bar none.

[richardturietta]

Thanks for the awesome History lesson. I feel that many women have been overlooked for many things, maybe this will help people's awareness of just how important women's contributions are to society, science and the world. My hat off to you, sir...

[eriktempelman]

Thanks for recognizing Dr. Noether. One of the best maths brains ever.

[shelley-anneharrisberg]

Thank you so much for this great video. I learned about Emmy Noether in our Linear Algebra class. Before that I had never heard of her. What a truly amazing mind she had, what a contribution she made!

[richarddeese]

Thanks! There are so many women who have done amazing work in math and/or science! It's high time they were recognized. I began compiling a list, & I've found so many from all areas of the world, & throughout time. So many of them were discriminated against, shunned, ignored, or even worse. Let's give them their due - now and always. Thanks again. Rikki Tikki.

[michaelchandler]

Thank you for this episode. I read popular science and have been trying to understand why symmetries are so important. They are said to be important but then the explanation is always on the level of rotating triangles and left there. Your explanation is the first I have heard that provides me with a much better understanding of the concept. Learning the history of Emmy Noether was also very informative.

[penguinista]

Thank you for reminding 100k people and counting about Emmy Noether! We tend to focus on a small group of female science pioneers, so it is wonderful for you to expand that pantheon for us.

[kylebowles]

In the Feynman lectures he touches on this, you go into some more detail! Thank you for the leads on this wonderful subject