Nobel Prize in Physics
Alfred Nobel signed his final will and testament at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris on the 27th of November 1895. This document bequeathed 31 million Swedish kronor, representing 94% of his total assets, to establish five prizes for those conferring the greatest benefit on mankind. The executors of this will were Ragnar Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist, who formed the Nobel Foundation to manage the fortune. Skepticism surrounded the document until the Storting approved it on the 26th of April 1897. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was designated to award the Prize in Physics according to these instructions. The first prize was awarded in 1901 to German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen for his discovery of X-rays.
About 3,000 selected university professors and previous laureates receive confidential nomination forms each September. These completed forms must arrive at the Nobel Committee by the 31st of January of the following year. A committee consisting of five members elected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences scrutinizes the nominees. They narrow the list down to approximately fifteen names before submitting a report to the Academy. The Academy makes the final selection through a majority vote. Nomination records remain sealed for fifty years, ensuring that neither the public nor the nominees know who was considered. This strict confidentiality has been a cornerstone of the process since its inception.
The rules require that the significance of achievements be tested by time before recognition occurs. In practice, this creates a typical lag of about twenty years between discovery and award. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar received half of the 1983 prize for work on stellar structure done during the 1930s. Some scientists never live long enough for their discoveries to be appreciated by the committee. Posthumous nominations are not permitted under current rules, though awards can be made if someone dies between October and December. Before 1974, posthumous awards were allowed if the candidate died after being nominated.
Erik Lindberg designed the medal which is manufactured by Svenska Medalj in Eskilstuna. The reverse side depicts the Goddess of Nature as Isis emerging from clouds holding a cornucopia. A Genius of Science holds the veil covering Nature's cold and austere face. The inscription reads "Inventas vitam iuvat excoluisse per artes" meaning it is beneficial to have improved human life through discovered arts. This phrase comes from line 663 of book 6 of the Aeneid by Virgil. A plate below the figures bears the name of the recipient while REG. ACAD. SCIENT. SUEC. denotes the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Formal ceremonies take place annually at Stockholm Concert Hall on the 10th of December. This date marks the anniversary of Nobel's death. The laureates receive their diploma directly from the hands of the King of Sweden during this event. The committee typically announces the names of the laureates during the first week of October. The prize has been awarded since 1901, making it one of the oldest scientific honors. A total of 229 people have received the award up to the present time.
The cash award amount differs from year to year based on funding available from the Nobel Foundation. In 2009 the total cash awarded was 10 million Swedish Kronor or US$1.4 million. Following the Great Recession in 2012, the amount dropped to 8 million SEK or US$1.1 million. If two laureates share a category, the grant is divided equally between them. When three recipients are selected, the committee may divide the grant equally or give half to one and quarters to the others. This financial flexibility allows the foundation to adapt to economic conditions while maintaining the prestige of the honor.
Common questions
When did Alfred Nobel sign his final will and testament?
Alfred Nobel signed his final will and testament on the 27th of November 1895 at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris. This document bequeathed 31 million Swedish kronor to establish five prizes for those conferring the greatest benefit on mankind.
Who administers the Nobel Prize in Physics according to the original instructions?
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was designated to award the Prize in Physics according to these instructions. The executors of this will were Ragnar Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist, who formed the Nobel Foundation to manage the fortune.
What is the typical time lag between discovery and award for the Nobel Prize in Physics?
In practice, this creates a typical lag of about twenty years between discovery and award because rules require that the significance of achievements be tested by time before recognition occurs. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar received half of the 1983 prize for work on stellar structure done during the 1930s.
Where does the inscription on the Nobel Prize medal originate from?
This phrase comes from line 663 of book 6 of the Aeneid by Virgil. The inscription reads Inventas vitam iuvat excoluisse per artes meaning it is beneficial to have improved human life through discovered arts.
On what date are formal ceremonies held annually for the Nobel Prize in Physics?
Formal ceremonies take place annually at Stockholm Concert Hall on the 10th of December. This date marks the anniversary of Nobel's death and laureates receive their diploma directly from the hands of the King of Sweden during this event.