Theoretical Contributions of Stephen Hawking
Stephen William Hawking (January 8, 1942 — March 14, 2018) was one of the well-known theoretical physicists and science celebrities in the 20th and 21st centuries. Even after becoming physically paralyzed, he continued his arduous intellectual journey of theoretical achievements in space and time for almost 50 years. When he wrote “A Brief History of Time”, it became an instant bestseller.
Scientific and theoretical work of Hawking brought theories of relativity and quantum mechanics in harmony. His basic work was based on the general theory of relativity.
From the general theory of relativity, his work progressed to a theory about black holes.
In 1971, through a new theory, he calculated that big bang mass was one billion tons in mass but occupied space of a proton only. Then in 1974, he explained the properties of black holes and discovered energy emission from black holes in the form of particles called “Hawking Radiation”. Hawking discovered that black holes exhausted and exploded because of such radiations. Stephen Hawking was mentioned among well-known scientists Galileo, Newton, Einstein and many others.
Newtonian theories and experiments solved various problems of physics for explaining scientific concepts and theories about gravity, suns, and planets. However, various problems could not be solved on the basis of Einstein’s theories of relativity. Stephen Hawking worked towards solving such problems. Newton, for instance, had explained light rays as consist of waves but Einstein talked of “Photons” as particles carrying energy and light.
Mathematics and experiments in physics laboratories supported Classical or Newtonian, as well as Quantum or Einsteinian theories. Physicists needed compatibility between apparently contrary theories. Hawking’s theoretical work brought forward the concept of Hawking Radiation showing the compatibility of the theories of Space-Time and Relativity. Thus significant theoretical contributions were made by Stephen Hawking in developing a better understanding of astronomy and astrophysics.
