# Chen-ning Yang

> Chinese physicist (1922–2025)

**Wikidata**: [Q181369](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181369)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_Chen-Ning)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chen-ning-yang

## Summary
Chen-ning Yang was a Chinese theoretical physicist and university teacher renowned for his work in particle physics. Living from 1922 to 2025, he is best known for formulating the Yang–Mills theory, a nonabelian generalization of electrodynamics that describes electroweak and strong nuclear interactions. A recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, he held affiliations with numerous prestigious academic institutions and scientific academies throughout his career.

## Biography
- **Born:** October 1, 1922
- **Nationality:** People's Republic of China, United States, Republic of China (1912–1949), Taiwan
- **Education:** National Southwestern Associated University, Tsinghua University, University of Chicago
- **Known for:** Yang–Mills theory, Yang–Baxter equation, Landau–Yang theorem
- **Employer(s):** Tsinghua University, University of Chicago, Peking University, Nankai University, Stony Brook University, Institute for Advanced Study, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Leiden University
- **Field(s):** Particle physics, theoretical physics

## Contributions
Chen-ning Yang made foundational contributions to theoretical physics, most notably through the development of **Yang–Mills theory**, a nonabelian generalization of electrodynamics that serves as a framework for describing electroweak and strong nuclear interactions. He introduced the **Yang–Baxter equation**, a consistency equation that originated in the field of statistical mechanics and has applications in various areas of physics and mathematics. Additionally, he formulated the **Landau–Yang theorem**, a selection rule establishing that a massive particle with spin 1 cannot decay into two photons.

## FAQs
**What theories is Chen-ning Yang known for?**
Yang is best known for the Yang–Mills theory, which describes electroweak and strong nuclear interactions, as well as the Yang–Baxter equation in statistical mechanics and the Landau–Yang theorem regarding particle decay.

**Where did Chen-ning Yang work during his career?**
He held positions at several major institutions, including Tsinghua University, the University of Chicago, Peking University, Nankai University, Stony Brook University, the Institute for Advanced Study, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Leiden University.

**What awards did Chen-ning Yang receive?**
He received numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physics, the National Medal of Science, the Albert Einstein Medal, the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, the Rumford Prize, and the King Faisal International Prize in Science.

**Was Chen-ning Yang a member of any scientific academies?**
Yes, he was a member of many distinguished academies such as the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Academia Sinica.

**What were Chen-ning Yang's citizenships?**
He held citizenship in the People's Republic of China, the United States, the Republic of China (1912–1949), and Taiwan.

## Why They Matter
Chen-ning Yang's work fundamentally advanced the understanding of particle physics and quantum field theory. His development of Yang–Mills theory provided the mathematical foundation for the Standard Model, influencing how scientists describe the fundamental forces of nature. The Yang–Baxter equation and Landau–Yang theorem remain critical tools in theoretical physics and statistical mechanics. As a Nobel laureate and member of the world's leading scientific academies, his career helped bridge scientific communities between the East and West, fostering global collaboration in physics.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Physics** recipient
- **National Medal of Science** recipient
- **Albert Einstein Medal** recipient
- **Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science** recipient
- **Rumford Prize** recipient
- **King Faisal International Prize in Science** recipient
- **Oskar Klein Medal** recipient
- **Benjamin Franklin Medal** recipient
- **Guggenheim Fellowship** recipient
- **Great Immigrants Award** recipient
- **Marcel Grossmann Award** recipient
- **Josiah Willard Gibbs Lectureship** delivery
- Honorary doctorates from the **Chinese University of Hong Kong**, **Fudan University**, and **ENS**
- Development of **Yang–Mills theory**, **Yang–Baxter equation**, and **Landau–Yang theorem**
- Membership in the **Pontifical Academy of Sciences**, **National Academy of Sciences**, **Royal Society**, and **Chinese Academy of Sciences**

## Body

### Identity and Background
Chen-ning Yang, also known by the aliases Yang Zhenning, Chen-Ning Franklin Yang, C. N. Yang, C.N. Yang, Yang Chen Ning, and Yang Chen-ning, was a human and physicist born on October 1, 1922. He passed away on October 18, 2025. His citizenships included the People's Republic of China, the United States, the Republic of China (1912–1949), and Taiwan.

### Education
Yang received his education at several prominent institutions. He attended the National Southwestern Associated University, Tsinghua University, and the University of Chicago.

### Academic Affiliations and Employment
Throughout his career, Yang was affiliated with a wide array of universities and research institutes. His employers included:
*   Tsinghua University
*   University of Chicago
*   Peking University
*   Nankai University
*   Stony Brook University
*   Institute for Advanced Study
*   The Chinese University of Hong Kong
*   Leiden University

### Scientific Contributions
Yang's primary field of work was particle physics and theoretical physics. His most significant contributions include:
*   **Yang–Mills theory:** A nonabelian generalization of electrodynamics used to describe electroweak and strong nuclear interactions.
*   **Yang–Baxter equation:** A consistency equation first introduced in the field of statistical mechanics.
*   **Landau–Yang theorem:** A selection rule stating that a massive particle with spin 1 cannot decay into two photons.

### Professional Memberships
Yang was a member of numerous prestigious scientific organizations and academies globally. These include:
*   Pontifical Academy of Sciences
*   National Academy of Sciences
*   Academia Sinica
*   Polish Academy of Sciences
*   American Association for the Advancement of Science
*   American Academy of Arts and Sciences
*   Russian Academy of Sciences
*   American Physical Society
*   Brazilian Academy of Sciences
*   Chinese Academy of Sciences
*   The World Academy of Sciences
*   Royal Society
*   Japan Academy

### Awards and Honors
Over his lifetime, Yang received extensive recognition for his scientific achievements, including:
*   Nobel Prize in Physics
*   Benjamin Franklin Medal
*   Guggenheim Fellowship
*   Josiah Willard Gibbs Lectureship
*   Rumford Prize
*   National Medal of Science
*   Oskar Klein Medal
*   Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science
*   Albert Einstein Medal
*   King Faisal International Prize in Science
*   Great Immigrants Award
*   Marcel Grossmann Award

He also received several honorary degrees, including:
*   Honorary doctor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
*   Honorary doctor of the Fudan University
*   Doctor honoris causa from the Pierre and Marie Curie University
*   Honorary doctorate from ENS

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
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3. BnF authorities
4. Leidse Hoogleraren
5. [“对话”杨振宁、姚期智：我为什么放弃外国国籍？. Xinhua News Agency. 2017](http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2017-02/21/c_1120506236.htm)
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8. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
9. [Rumford Prize Recipients. American Academy of Arts and Sciences](https://www.amacad.org/rumford-prize-recipients)
10. [Previous Oskar Klein Memorial Lectures](http://www.okc.albanova.se/research/memorial-lecture/earlier-lectures)
11. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
12. [Chen Ning Yang. Franklin Institute website](https://www.fi.edu/laureates/chen-ning-yang)
13. [Lars Onsager Prize. American Physical Society](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/onsager.cfm)
14. [Chen Ning Yan: Physicist. Carnegie Corporation of New York](https://www.carnegie.org/awards/honoree/chen-ning-yan/)
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21. [Source](https://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/members/bukko/bukko_kyakuin.html)
22. [Chen-Ning Yang](http://insti.physics.sunysb.edu/~yang/yangbio.pdf)
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography
25. nobelprize.org
26. [Source](https://mathscinet.ams.org/mathscinet/collaborationDistance.html)
27. [Source](https://www.ias.edu/news/celebrating-chen-ning-yang-100)
28. Catalogo of the National Library of India