Back

Facts for Kids

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb was a French officer, engineer, and physicist known for his groundbreaking work in understanding electric forces and laying the groundwork for electrostatics.

Overview

Coulomb's Law

Coulomb's Legacy

Awards And Honors

Scientific Career

Coulomb's Personal Life

Contributions To Physics

Early Life And Education

Electrostatics And Magnetism

Influence On Future Scientists

Mechanical Engineering Applications

main image

Inside this Article

French Academy Of Sciences

Mechanical Engineering

Albert Einstein

Foundation

Technology

Magnetism

Angoulême

Did you know?

🌍 Charles-Augustin de Coulomb was born on June 14, 1736, in Angoulême, France.

⚡ He became famous for studying how electric charges interact with each other!

🔬 Coulomb introduced important ideas in physics, including Coulomb's Law.

🎓 He loved studying math and science from a young age.

⚔️ At age 21, he was an engineer in the French army.

📏 Coulomb created tools to measure the forces between charged particles.

📜 Coulomb's Law explains how the distance and strength of charges affect their interaction.

😲 He discovered that opposite charges attract, while similar charges repel.

🚆💨 Coulomb's work helped scientists understand electricity and magnetism, which is used in technologies like maglev trains.

🎖️ He is remembered as the 'father of electrostatics,' inspiring future scientists.

Introduction

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb was a clever French scientist born on June 14, 1736, in Angoulême, France. 🌍

He became famous for figuring out how electric forces work! That means he studied how objects with electric charges interact with each other. ⚡

He introduced important ideas in physics that we still use today, like Coulomb's Law. He worked hard and shared his discoveries with others, making him a hero in the world of science! 🔬

Read Less

Coulomb's Law

Coulomb created a special rule called Coulomb's Law. 📜

This explains how electric charges interact. It says that the force between two charges depends on how far apart they are and how strong the charges are. The closer they get, the stronger the force! ⚖

️ This law helps us understand many things, including how balloons stick to walls after being rubbed! 🎈

Coulomb’s Law is still taught in schools today and is super important in physics!
Read Less

Coulomb's Legacy

Coulomb passed away on August 23, 1806, but his ideas live on! 📅

Many scientists and inventors still use his discoveries in technology today. He is known as the “father of electrostatics,” reminding us of how important he was in science! 🎖

️ His research has inspired countless future scientists to explore the mysteries of electricity and magnetism. Thanks to Coulomb, we have a better understanding of the world around us! 🌟

Read Less

Awards And Honors

Coulomb was honored for his amazing discoveries. 🎉

He became a member of the French Academy of Sciences, a group of the best scientists. 🔬

He received respect from his fellow scientists and was recognized as a pioneer in studying electricity. Even after he died, scientists honored him by naming the unit of electric charge, the "coulomb," after him! ⚡

This shows how much he contributed to the world of science! 🌍

Read Less

Scientific Career

After working for the army, Coulomb moved to Paris, where he spent time doing experiments. 🔍

He was curious about how tiny charged particles, like electrons, interacted with each other. Coulomb conducted many tests, creating tools to measure forces. 📏

He learned that the closer two charged objects are, the stronger the force between them! Coulomb published his findings, and scientists around the world were fascinated! 🌟

Read Less

Coulomb's Personal Life

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb was known for being passionate about his work. 🔬

He loved experimenting and discovering new things! In his free time, he enjoyed reading and expanding his knowledge. 📚

Coulomb also had a funny side, often making jokes with his friends! 🤭

Although he was dedicated to science, he found joy in life and inspired others around him! 🌈

His legacy shines bright, showing how curiosity and hard work can lead to amazing discoveries! ✨

Read Less

Contributions To Physics

Coulomb contributed many important ideas to a field called electrostatics. ⚡

This is the study of electric charges at rest. He discovered that opposite charges attract each other while similar charges repel! 😲

This helped scientists understand electricity better and even led to inventions like electric motors! ⚙

️ Coulomb also studied magnetism, which is how magnets attract or repel each other. His work laid the foundation for future discoveries in both electricity and magnetism! 🔬

Read Less

Early Life And Education

Coulomb grew up in a well-off family. His father was a nobleman, and Charles had good education. He studied math and science, which he loved! 🎓

At age 16, he joined a great school called the École de Mézéray. By the time he was 21, he was an engineer in the French army! ⚔

️ His training in the military helped him learn about physics, which later gave him great ideas about electricity and magnetism! ⚙

Read Less

Electrostatics And Magnetism

Coulomb studied electrostatics, which means how electric charges behave. ⚡

He noticed that charged objects could attract or push each other away, like magic! 🪄

One time, he even used a special tool he invented to measure these forces, called a torsion balance. ⚖

️ He also looked into magnetism and found out about magnetic forces. The laws he discovered help us understand how electricity and magnetism work together, like in trains that float above tracks called maglev trains! 🚆💨
Read Less

Influence On Future Scientists

Coulomb inspired many scientists after him! 🌠

His work laid important foundations in physics, which young inventors and researchers still build upon today! From Albert Einstein to modern engineers, all are influenced by Coulomb's ideas about electric forces and magnetism. 🔋

Scientists use his laws to create new technology, from smartphones to electric vehicles! 📱💡 Coulomb's ideas sparked excitement for exploring science and finding new things that help everyone every day!
Read Less

Mechanical Engineering Applications

Coulomb's findings weren't just for science class; they helped engineers, too! 🛠

️ His work on forces and electricity was very helpful in mechanical engineering. ⚙

️ Engineers use his principles to create machines, bridges, and even robots! 🤖

For example, they understand how electricity can move machines! By solving problems about balancing forces, Coulomb's work plays a big role in building things we see every day, like roller coasters and cars! 🎢

Read Less

Charles-augustin De Coulomb Quiz

Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY back?!
How do I reactivate my account?
How do I sign up?
Are the android and iOS apps coming back?
What is DIY?
What is a “Challenge” on DIY?
What is a “Course” on DIY?
What are “Skills” on DIY?
What if I'm new to all this—where do I begin?
Do I need special materials or equipment?
Is DIY safe for kids?
Can I collaborate with other DIYers on a project?
How do Mentors, Mods, and Jr. Mods help us?
What is DIY?
What's the recommended age for DIY?

Our Mission

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Download on AppStoreDownload on Google Play

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.