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Leo Graetz

1856 – 1941

German physicist

Physicist ThermophysicistUniversity teacher
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About Leo Graetz

Lived 1856 – 1941 (aged 85). Leo Graetz was a physicist, thermophysicist and university teacher, known for Diode bridge and Graetz number.

Leo Graetz (26 September 1856 – 12 November 1941) was a German physicist. He was born in Breslau, Germany, and was the son of historian Heinrich Graetz.

Graetz was one of the first to investigate the propagation of electromagnetic energy. The Graetz number (Gz), a dimensionless number describing heat flow, is named after him. Also sometimes known by his name is the diode bridge rectifier circuit that was invented by Polish electrotechnician Karol Pollak in 1896 and that was independently invented and published by Leo Graetz in 1897.

In 1880 he confirmed the Stefan–Boltzmann law.

Graetz died in Munich at age 85.

Publications Die Elektrizität und ihre Anwendungen (Electricity and Its Applications), Stuttgart 1903 Digital 17th edition from 1914 by the University and State Library Düsseldorf Handbuch der Elektrizität und des Magnetismus (Handbook of Electricity and Magnetism) - 5 volumes, 1918, 1921, 1923, 1920, 1928 Recent developments in atomic theory, 1922

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
German Reich
Known for
Diode bridge, Graetz number
Education
University of Wrocław
Employers
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

People in Leo Graetz's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Leo Graetz's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Leo Graetz?

German physicist (1856–1941)

When was Leo Graetz born?

Leo Graetz was born on 26 September 1856 in Wrocław.

When did Leo Graetz die?

Leo Graetz died on 12 November 1941 in Munich.

What was Leo Graetz's occupation?

Leo Graetz was a physicist, thermophysicist and university teacher.

What was Leo Graetz known for?

Leo Graetz was known for Diode bridge and Graetz number.

What nationality was Leo Graetz?

Leo Graetz's recorded nationality: German Reich.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Leo Graetz

· Wikidata: Q66183

· DBpedia: Leo Graetz

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Leo Graetz. https://biography.guide/leo-graetz/

MLA: "Leo Graetz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/leo-graetz/.

Chicago: "Leo Graetz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/leo-graetz/.

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