# Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Physikalisches Institut

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q101263759](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101263759)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/goethe-universitat-frankfurt-am-main-physikalisches-institut

## Summary
The Physikalisches Institut at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main is a research institute located in Frankfurt, Germany. As an integral part of Goethe University Frankfurt, its primary purpose is to conduct dedicated scientific research. It operates as an organization specifically designed to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation in its field.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Research institute
- **Parent Organization:** Goethe University Frankfurt
- **Location:** Frankfurt, Germany
- **Country:** Germany
- **Ringgold ID:** 426449
- **Primary Purpose:** To conduct research, as distinct from organizations that combine research with other functions like teaching.

## FAQs
### Q: How does the Physikalisches Institut differ from Goethe University as a whole?
A: While Goethe University combines both teaching and research and grants academic degrees, the Physikalisches Institut's sole purpose is conducting research. This allows for a concentrated focus on investigation without the broader educational obligations of the parent university.

### Q: What distinguishes the institute's work from that of a think tank?
A: The institute, as a research institute, focuses on fundamental scientific inquiry. This is different from a think tank, which primarily conducts policy-oriented research intended to influence government and public policy decisions.

## Why It Matters
The Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Physikalisches Institut serves as a dedicated engine for discovery in the physical sciences. By being free from the teaching obligations that divide the attention of researchers in a broader university setting, it can concentrate resources and talent purely on investigation. This model accelerates breakthroughs by providing a space where scientists can pursue long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within typical university or corporate timelines. As part of the global infrastructure of research institutes, it plays a critical role in advancing human knowledge and developing solutions to complex problems.

## Notable For
- **Dedicated Research Focus:** It is structured exclusively for research activities, unlike the broader university which balances teaching and research.
- **Part of a Major University:** It operates as a specialized research body within the larger framework of Goethe University Frankfurt.
- **Specific Classification:** It is formally identified as a research institute, distinguishing it from related concepts like scientific societies or policy-focused think tanks.
- **Unique Identifier:** It is assigned the Ringgold ID 426449 for precise identification within academic and research databases.

## Body
The Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Physikalisches Institut is a German research organization located in Frankfurt. Its identity and function are defined by its classification as a research institute and its affiliation with Goethe University Frankfurt.

### Organizational Structure and Classification
The institute is an official part of Goethe University Frankfurt. Its headquarters are in Frankfurt, Germany. Its core identity is that of a "research institute," an organizational form whose primary purpose is to conduct research. This classification distinguishes it from the university's broader mission, which includes teaching and granting degrees.

As a research institute, it falls under a specific category of organization recognized by various knowledge systems. For instance, such entities are generally assigned the Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification and are mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes. The Physikalisches Institut itself is specifically identified by the Ringgold ID 426449.

### Role and Distinction from Other Entities
The institute's role is to provide a space for focused, systematic investigation. This makes it fundamentally different from other types of organizations. Unlike scientific or learned societies, which are primarily membership-based organizations for professionals, the institute is an operational entity conducting hands-on research. It also differs from think tanks, which concentrate on policy-oriented research to influence public debate; the institute instead pursues fundamental scientific inquiry. Its structure allows it to tackle complex, long-term research projects that might be difficult to sustain in environments where resources must be shared with educational programs.

## References

1. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions