Contributed to the localization of Korea physics education in the initial stage, the first theoretical physicist in Korea
One of 2 Koreans listed in the pedigree of US physics development with Dr. Whi Soh Lee
(Late) Cho Soon-tahk
Professor (1925~1996)
- Academic background
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1947
Graduated Department of Physics, Seoul National University
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1949
M.S at Department of Physics, Graduate School of Seoul National University
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1958
Ph.D. at Michigan University, US (physics)
- Professional career
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1947 ~ 1964
Professor and Dean, Faculty of Science, Seoul National University
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1964 ~ 1974
Professor and Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Sogang University
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1974 ~ 1983
President and professor, Korea Advanced Institute of Science
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1983 ~ 1990
Professor, Department of Physics, Hanyang University
- Awards
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1965.07
National Academy of Sciences Awards
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1986.07
Seonggok Culture Prize
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1996.04
Order of Civil Merit, Rose of Sharon Medal
Global statistical physicist whose name was registered in physical theory
Professor Soon Tahk Choh, the first theoretical physicist in Korea, is a pioneer of Korean physics who won a global reputation from Choh-Uhlenbeck theory published in 1958.
Opened a new chapter of the statistical physics with ‘Choh-Uhlenbeck Theory’ developing the Boltzmann equation
He opened a new chapter of statistical physics by publishing his doctoral thesis titled ‘The Kinetic Theory of Phenomena in Dense Gases.’ His theory, which is known widely as ‘Choh-Uhlenbeck Theory’ combining the name of his advisor, George E. Uhlenbeck, is evaluated as an innovative work that solved the long-standing question in the non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.
In 1946 a Russian scientist, Bogoliubov, suggested an equation to describe the kinetics of actual gas on the basis of Boltzmann equation to describe the kinetics of ideal gas. This result can be used to develop a kinetic theory of gas considering double, triple or higher collision and the very physicist who developed this theory was Professor Soon Tahk Choh. Namely, the Choh-Uhlenbeck equation is the first systematic gas kinetic equation generalizing Boltzmann equation to make it applicable even in the system with not small density, which is considered important historically in the kinetic theory.
His doctoral thesis had so important content enough to be described as a separate chapter in the graduate school textbook, even though had not been published in any scientific journal formally. Although this article had not been published in the journal of physics, the thesis itself is being cited in the whole statistical mechanics' area and is a famous work in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics for dense gas. His theory marked a milestone in the development of statistical mechanics as an internationally authorized theory. In the pedigree related to the development of US physics in the 20th Century, it is led to Soon Tahk Choh via Uhlenbeck, starting from Ehrenfest. Up to now, there are 2 Koreans listed on the pedigree of development of US physics, which included the professor Soon Tahk Choh and Dr. Whi Soh Lee.
Led construction of the first 1.5 MeV cyclotron particle accelerator in Korea
Professor Soon Tahk Choh made a huge contribution to physical education and its localization, as the first theoretical physicist in Korea who returned back to Korea after obtaining a Ph.D. degree in physics from Michigan University in1958. After returning back, he led and devoted himself to the construction of the Korea first 1.5 MeV cyclotron particle accelerator, emphasizing harmonization of theory and experiment. He always insisted on the importance of experimental physics even though he was a theoretical physicist. He emphasized experiment with the belief that theory and experiment should be harmonized for science to take root in the ground.
He tried to foster human resources, serving as a professor at Seoul National University, Sogang University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science, and Hanyang University and led the development of Korea statistical physics, by installing thermal and statistical physics division in the Korean Physics Society in 1973. He played the role of foundation to develop Korea statistical physics, hosting ‘Statistical physics seminar' for several years on Saturday afternoon, every week as well as lectures as the professor.
He contributed to the fostering of a younger student from the beginning period of physics in Korea, teaching younger students while he was an undergraduate student in the initial phase of Seoul National University. Following the service of professor at Seoul National University after obtaining a Ph.D. degree at Michigan University in 1958, he moved to newly opened Sogang University in 1964 and concentrated in student training and educational administration, serving as dean of science and technology college for 10 years.
Then he was appointed as the president of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and played a great role in stabilization of Korea Advanced Institute of Science. Due to this contribution, he served as the director and fostered younger students for 6 years successively, the longest period in its history. After he became a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1981, he wrote a physics textbook of high school and university and graduate school level professional book of statistical physics and tried to educate younger students.