# Cyril Norman Hinshelwood

> English physical chemist (1897-1967)

**Wikidata**: [Q48986](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48986)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_N._Hinshelwood)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cyril-norman-hinshelwood

## Summary
Cyril Norman Hinshelwood was an English physical chemist (1897–1967) who made foundational contributions to the understanding of chemical reaction mechanisms, particularly through his work on unimolecular reactions and the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1956 for his pioneering research in reaction kinetics and was a Fellow of the Royal Society.

## Biography
- Born: 19 June 1897, London, United Kingdom
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education: University of Oxford (Balliol College), Imperial College London
- Known for: Developing the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism to explain unimolecular reactions
- Employer(s): University of Oxford, Imperial College London
- Field(s): Physical chemistry, reaction kinetics

## Contributions
- **Lindemann-Hinshelwood Mechanism**: Co-developed with Friedrich Lindemann, this mechanism explained how unimolecular reactions occur in gases, bridging the gap between theory and experimental observations. This work was published in 1922 and remains a cornerstone of chemical kinetics.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry**: Awarded in 1956 for his contributions to reaction kinetics, particularly his work on unimolecular reactions and chain reactions. His research laid the groundwork for modern chemical engineering and industrial processes.
- **Royal Society Fellowships**: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1935, recognizing his significant contributions to physical chemistry and his leadership in the scientific community.
- **Awards and Honors**: Received numerous prestigious awards, including the Copley Medal (1956), the Royal Medal (1956), and the Davy Medal (1949), among others. These accolades underscored his influence in the field of chemistry.
- **Knight Bachelor**: Appointed a Knight Bachelor in 1956, reflecting his status as a distinguished scientist and his contributions to the scientific community.

## FAQs
### What was Cyril Norman Hinshelwood's most significant contribution to chemistry?
Cyril Norman Hinshelwood's most significant contribution was the co-development of the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism, which explained how unimolecular reactions occur in gases. This work revolutionized the understanding of reaction kinetics and had profound implications for industrial chemistry and chemical engineering.

### Where did Cyril Norman Hinshelwood study and work?
Hinshelwood studied at the University of Oxford (Balliol College) and later worked at Imperial College London. His academic affiliations included prestigious institutions such as the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

### What awards did Cyril Norman Hinshelwood receive?
Hinshelwood received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1956), the Copley Medal (1956), the Royal Medal (1956), and the Davy Medal (1949). He was also appointed a Knight Bachelor in 1956.

### What is the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism?
The Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism is a model that explains how unimolecular reactions occur in gases. It involves a two-step process where a molecule absorbs energy and then decomposes, bridging the gap between theory and experimental observations in chemical kinetics.

### How did Cyril Norman Hinshelwood influence the field of physical chemistry?
Hinshelwood's work on reaction kinetics and the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism laid the foundation for modern chemical engineering and industrial processes. His research continues to be cited and applied in various scientific and industrial contexts.

## Why They Matter
Cyril Norman Hinshelwood's work on reaction kinetics and the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism revolutionized the understanding of chemical reactions, particularly in gases. His contributions to physical chemistry laid the groundwork for advancements in industrial chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental science. His Nobel Prize-winning research continues to influence modern scientific research and industrial applications, making him a pivotal figure in the history of chemistry. Hinshelwood's legacy is evident in the ongoing development of chemical processes and the application of reaction kinetics in various fields.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1956)**: Awarded for his pioneering work on reaction kinetics and the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism.
- **Lindemann-Hinshelwood Mechanism**: Co-developed this foundational model explaining unimolecular reactions in gases.
- **Royal Society Fellow**: Elected in 1935, recognizing his significant contributions to physical chemistry.
- **Copley Medal (1956)**: Awarded by the Royal Society for his outstanding achievements in science.
- **Royal Medal (1956)**: Received for his exceptional contributions to chemistry and scientific leadership.
- **Davy Medal (1949)**: Awarded by the Royal Society for his work in chemical kinetics.
- **Knight Bachelor (1956)**: Appointed for his distinguished service to science and the scientific community.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
- **Birth**: Cyril Norman Hinshelwood was born on 19 June 1897 in London, United Kingdom.
- **Education**: He studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned his degrees, and later worked at Imperial College London, contributing to the development of chemical kinetics.

### Career and Research
- **Lindemann-Hinshelwood Mechanism**: In 1922, Hinshelwood co-developed the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism with Friedrich Lindemann, which explained how unimolecular reactions occur in gases. This work was published in the *Proceedings of the Royal Society* and became a cornerstone of chemical kinetics.
- **Nobel Prize**: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1956 for his contributions to reaction kinetics, particularly his work on unimolecular reactions and chain reactions. His research laid the groundwork for modern chemical engineering and industrial processes.
- **Royal Society Fellowships**: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1935, recognizing his significant contributions to physical chemistry and his leadership in the scientific community.

### Awards and Honors
- **Copley Medal (1956)**: Awarded by the Royal Society for his outstanding achievements in science.
- **Royal Medal (1956)**: Received for his exceptional contributions to chemistry and scientific leadership.
- **Davy Medal (1949)**: Awarded by the Royal Society for his work in chemical kinetics.
- **Knight Bachelor (1956)**: Appointed for his distinguished service to science and the scientific community.

### Legacy and Influence
- **Impact on Chemistry**: Hinshelwood's work on reaction kinetics and the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism revolutionized the understanding of chemical reactions, particularly in gases. His contributions to physical chemistry laid the foundation for advancements in industrial chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental science.
- **Scientific Community**: His election as a Fellow of the Royal Society and his receipt of numerous prestigious awards underscored his influence in the scientific community. His legacy continues to be evident in the ongoing development of chemical processes and the application of reaction kinetics in various fields.

### Affiliations and Memberships
- **University of Oxford**: Studied at Balliol College and later worked at Imperial College London.
- **Royal Society**: Elected as a Fellow in 1935, recognizing his significant contributions to physical chemistry.
- **Royal Society of Chemistry**: Received numerous awards, including the Faraday Lectureship Prize and the Meldola Medal and Prize.

### Publications and Research
- **Key Publications**: Hinshelwood's research was published in numerous prestigious journals, including the *Proceedings of the Royal Society*. His work on the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism and reaction kinetics remains foundational in the field of physical chemistry.
- **Research Focus**: His research focused on reaction kinetics, particularly unimolecular reactions and chain reactions, which had profound implications for industrial chemistry and chemical engineering.

### Personal Life and Death
- **Death**: Cyril Norman Hinshelwood passed away on 9 October 1967. His contributions to chemistry and his legacy as a pioneering scientist continue to be celebrated and studied.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Sir Cyril Hinshelwood - Biographical. Nobel Foundation](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1956/hinshelwood-bio.html)
4. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
5. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1956. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1956/summary/)
6. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
7. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/archives/meldola-medal-and-prize/)
8. [Award winners : Davy Medal](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1021770356&single=true)
9. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/archives/liversidge-award/)
10. [Source](https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/leverhulme-medal/)
11. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/find-a-prize/longstaff-prize/previous-winners/)
12. [Source](https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/bakerian-lecture/)
13. [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/02/john-midgley-obituary)
14. International Standard Name Identifier
15. CiNii Research
16. www.pas.va
17. SNAC
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. BnF authorities
20. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
21. Proleksis Encyclopedia
22. Croatian Encyclopedia
23. Munzinger Personen
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. nobelprize.org
26. Autoritats UB
27. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)