German physicist who experimentally confirmed Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism by producing and detecting radio waves — one of the most consequential experiments in the history of physics.
Electromagnetic wave experiments (1886-88): the first production and detection of radio waves — confirming that electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light as Maxwell had predicted. Proved that light is an electromagnetic wave. The hertz (unit of frequency) is named after him. Photoelectric effect: first observations (though the explanation came with Einstein).
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