Arnold Sommerfeld

German physicist (1868-1951)
Person human Q77078
Arnold Sommerfeld
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Arnold Sommerfeld

Summary

Arnold Sommerfeld is a human[1]. His place of birth was Königsberg[2]. He passed away in Munich[3]. He worked as a theoretical physicist[4], mathematician[5], university teacher[6], and physicist[7]. He ranks in the top 0.71% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (1,286 views/month, #7,055 of 1,000,298).[8]

Key Facts

  • Arnold Sommerfeld was born in Königsberg[2].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld died in Munich[3].
  • Burial took place at Nordfriedhof[9].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's father was Franz Sommerfeld[10].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld was married to Johanna Sommerfeld[11].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld held citizenship in Germany[12].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld worked as a theoretical physicist[4].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's professions included mathematician[5].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's professions included university teacher[6].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld worked as a physicist[7].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's field of work was theoretical physics[13].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's field of work was mathematical physics[14].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's field of work was spectroscopy[15].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld held the position of Geheimrat[16].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld held the position of president[17].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld was employed by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[18].
  • Among Arnold Sommerfeld's employers was RWTH Aachen University[19].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld was employed by University of Göttingen[20].
  • Among Arnold Sommerfeld's employers was Clausthal University of Technology[21].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld was educated at University of Königsberg[22].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld was educated at Altstadt Gymnasium[23].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld's doctoral advisor was Ferdinand von Lindemann[24].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld received the Max Planck Medal[25].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld received the Lorentz Medal[26].
  • Arnold Sommerfeld received the Oersted Medal[27].

Body

Origins and Family

Arnold Sommerfeld was born in Königsberg[2]. His father was Franz Sommerfeld[10].

Education

Educated at University of Königsberg[22], a university[28], in Kingdom of Prussia[29], founded in 1544[30] and Altstadt Gymnasium[23], a school[31], in Prussia[32]. Arnold Sommerfeld's doctoral advisor was Ferdinand von Lindemann[24].

Career and Affiliations

Recorded occupations include theoretical physicist[4], mathematician[5], university teacher[6], and physicist[7]. Fields of work include theoretical physics[13], a branch of physics[33]; mathematical physics[14], a branch of mathematics[34]; and spectroscopy[15], an analytical chemical technique[35]. Employers include Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[18], a public research university[36], in Germany[37], founded in 1472[38], headquartered in Hauptgebäude der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[39]; RWTH Aachen University[19], a public university[40], in Germany[41], founded in 1870[42], headquartered in Aachen[43]; University of Göttingen[20], a campus university[44], in Germany[45], founded in 1734[46], headquartered in Göttingen[47]; and Clausthal University of Technology[21], a public university[48], in Germany[49], founded in 1775[50]. Positions held include Geheimrat[16], a position[51] and president[17], a position[52]. Doctoral students include Paul Peter Ewald[53], Wolfgang Pauli[54], Gregor Wentzel[55], Wojciech Rubinowicz[56], Otto Laporte[57], and Peter Debye[58].

Recognition

Awards received include Max Planck Medal[25], a medallion[59], in Germany[60], founded in 1929[61]; Lorentz Medal[26], a science award[62], in Netherlands[63], founded in 1925[64]; Oersted Medal[27], a science award[65], in United States[66], founded in 1936[67]; Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art[68], an order[69], in Germany[70], founded in 1980[71]; Matteucci Medal[72], a science award[73], in Italy[74], founded in 1868[75]; and Foreign Member of the Royal Society[76].

Personal Life

Arnold Sommerfeld was married to Johanna Sommerfeld[11].

Death and Burial

Arnold Sommerfeld died in Munich[3]. He is buried at Nordfriedhof[9].

Works and Contributions

Things named for Arnold Sommerfeld include Bohr-Sommerfeld atom model[77], Orr–Sommerfeld equation[78], Sommerfeld number[79], Sommerfeld identity[80], Sommerfeld[81], and Arnold Sommerfeld Prize[82].

Why It Matters

Arnold Sommerfeld ranks in the top 0.71% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (1,286 views/month, #7,055 of 1,000,298).[8] He has Wikipedia articles in 27 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[83] He is known by 47 alternative names across languages and contexts.[84]

He is credited with the discovery of fine-structure constant[85], a physical constant[86] and Bohr-Sommerfeld atom model[87], an atom model[88], founded in 1915[89]. Works attributed to him include Bohr-Sommerfeld atom model[90], an atom model[91], founded in 1915[92]. Entities named for him include Bohr-Sommerfeld atom model[77], Orr–Sommerfeld equation[78], Sommerfeld number[79], Sommerfeld identity[80], Sommerfeld[81], and Arnold Sommerfeld Prize[82].

His notable doctoral advisees include Werner Heisenberg[93], Hans Bethe[94], Wolfgang Pauli[95], Peter Debye[96], Karl Herzfeld[97], and Walter Heitler[98].

FAQs

Where was Arnold Sommerfeld born?

Arnold Sommerfeld was born in Königsberg[2].

Where did Arnold Sommerfeld die?

Arnold Sommerfeld passed away in Munich[3].

Who were Arnold Sommerfeld's parents?

Arnold Sommerfeld's father was Franz Sommerfeld[10].

Who was Arnold Sommerfeld married to?

Arnold Sommerfeld's spouses include Johanna Sommerfeld[11].

What did Arnold Sommerfeld do for work?

Arnold Sommerfeld worked as theoretical physicist[4], mathematician[5], university teacher[6], and physicist[7].

Where did Arnold Sommerfeld go to school?

Arnold Sommerfeld was educated at University of Königsberg[22] and Altstadt Gymnasium[23].

What awards did Arnold Sommerfeld receive?

Honors received include Max Planck Medal[25], Lorentz Medal[26], Oersted Medal[27], and Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art[68].

What did Arnold Sommerfeld discover?

Arnold Sommerfeld is credited as discoverer of fine-structure constant[85] and Bohr-Sommerfeld atom model[87].

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

Direct Wikidata claims

  1. [2] . wikidata.org.
  2. [3] . wikidata.org.
  3. [10] . wikidata.org.
  4. [11] . wikidata.org.
  5. [12] . wikidata.org.
  6. [16] . wikidata.org.
  7. [17] . wikidata.org.
  8. [22] . wikidata.org.
  9. [23] . wikidata.org.
  10. [13] . wikidata.org.
  11. [14] . wikidata.org.
  12. [15] . wikidata.org.
  13. [4] . wikidata.org.
  14. [5] . wikidata.org.
  15. [6] . wikidata.org.
  16. [7] . wikidata.org.
  17. [18] . wikidata.org.
  18. [19] . wikidata.org.
  19. [20] . wikidata.org.
  20. [21] . wikidata.org.
  21. [9] . wikidata.org.
  22. [25] . wikidata.org.
  23. [26] . wikidata.org.
  24. [27] . wikidata.org.
  25. [68] . wikidata.org.
  26. [72] . wikidata.org.
  27. [76] . wikidata.org.
  28. [24] . wikidata.org.
  29. [53] . wikidata.org.
  30. [54] . wikidata.org.
  31. [55] . wikidata.org.
  32. [56] . wikidata.org.
  33. [57] . wikidata.org.
  34. [58] . wikidata.org.

Inverse relationships (entities pointing at this one)

  1. [85] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [87] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [90] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [93] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [94] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [95] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [96] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [97] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [98] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [77] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  11. [78] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  12. [79] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  13. [80] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  14. [81] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  15. [82] . wikidata.org. → on this site

Inline context (facts about related entities)

  1. [51] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [52] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [28] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [29] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [30] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [31] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [32] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [33] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [34] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [35] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  11. [36] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  12. [37] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  13. [38] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  14. [39] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  15. [40] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  16. [41] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  17. [42] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  18. [43] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  19. [44] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  20. [45] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  21. [46] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  22. [47] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  23. [48] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  24. [49] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  25. [50] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  26. [59] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  27. [60] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  28. [61] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  29. [62] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  30. [63] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  31. [64] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  32. [65] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  33. [66] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  34. [67] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  35. [69] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  36. [70] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  37. [71] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  38. [73] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  39. [74] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  40. [75] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  41. [86] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  42. [88] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  43. [89] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  44. [91] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  45. [92] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site

Class ancestry

  1. [1] . Wikidata. wikidata.org.

Aggregate / graph-position facts

  1. [8] . Wikimedia Foundation. dumps.wikimedia.org.
  2. [83] . Wikidata sitelinks. wikidata.org.
  3. [84] . Wikidata aliases. wikidata.org.

📑 Cite this page

Use these citations when quoting this entity in research, articles, AI prompts, or wherever provenance matters. We aggregate Wikidata + Wikipedia + authoritative open-data sources; the stitched, scored, cross-referenced view is what 4ort.xyz contributes.

APA 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph. (2026). Arnold Sommerfeld. Retrieved April 11, 2026, from https://4ort.xyz/entity/arnold-sommerfeld
MLA “Arnold Sommerfeld.” 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph, 4ort.xyz, 11 Apr. 2026, https://4ort.xyz/entity/arnold-sommerfeld.
BibTeX @misc{4ortxyz_arnold-sommerfeld_2026, author = {{4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph}}, title = {{Arnold Sommerfeld}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://4ort.xyz/entity/arnold-sommerfeld}, note = {Accessed: 2026-04-11}}
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Edit History

Rolling log of changes to this entity's Wikidata record. Values shown reflect the current state of each edited property — follow the history link to see the precise diff for any edit.

  1. 2d ago · Ferran Mir · 2026-08-28 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Find a grave memorial id 180922852
    Position held Geheimrat, president
    Relative Ernst Höpfner
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P39]]: [[Q30461]]"
  2. 2d ago · Ferran Mir · 2026-08-28 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Student of
    Doctoral advisor Ferdinand von Lindemann
    Helveticarchives id 1114585
    Doctoral student Paul Peter Ewald, Wolfgang Pauli, Gregor Wentzel +38
    + 5 other properties edited (see Wikidata diff for full list)
    "/* wbsetclaim-update:2||1|1 */ [[Property:P26]]: [[Q94763355]]"
  3. 2d ago · Ferran Mir · 2026-08-28 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Nsk (viaf) id 000674811
    Viaf cluster id 36967197, 7457178606682001110005, 628147907500179210006 +1
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P1375]]: 000674811"
  4. 26d ago · Epìdosis · 2026-08-04 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Accademia nazionale dei lincei id 2173-sommerfeld-arnold
    "/* wbeditentity-update:0| */ QuickStatements 3.0 [[:toollabs:qs-dev/batch/45365|batch #45365]]: Update P14091 IDs"
  5. 9w ago · Printstream · 2026-06-26 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    P14536 438910
    "/* wbcreateclaim-create:1| */ [[Property:P14536]]: 438910, #quickstatements; #temporary_batch_1782462304762"
  6. 10w ago · Artistosteles · 2026-06-21 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Image Sommerfeld1897.gif, A. Sommerfeld LCCN2014715010.jpg, Portrait of Arnold Sommerfeld.jpg
    Occupation theoretical physicist, mathematician, university teacher +1
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P18]]: Portrait of Arnold Sommerfeld.jpg"
  7. 14w ago · Epìdosis · 2026-05-21 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Local thumb
    Occupation theoretical physicist, mathematician, university teacher +1
    "/* wbeditentity-update:0| */ QuickStatements 3.0 [[:toollabs:qs-dev/batch/32152|batch #32152]]: import P21 and P106 from GND (34)"
  8. 16w ago · Bargioni · 2026-05-07 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Local thumb
    "/* wbeditentity-update:0| */ QuickStatements 3.0 [[:toollabs:qs-dev/batch/30469|batch #30469]]: add P1810 to P5739 3/3"
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