Guillaume Amontons

Guillaume Amontons was born August 31, 1663. When he was a teenager he became deaf. He did not use hearing aids or go to see a doctor. He thought being deaf helped him be a better scientist.

Amontons did not know what part of science he wanted to study. He tried many different science subjects, but he chose physics (MP4). A person who studies physics is called a physicist. Physicists study how and why things move.

Later Amontons discovered that the volume (MP4) of all gas (MP3) changes the same when gases are heated. Gas is made up of molecules (MP4), which are tiny things that combine to make everything on the Earth. He predicted (MP4) that the molecules in the gases would stop growing eventually. When molecules stop moving, it is called absolute zero (MP4). He was right! See an animation that shows the effect of temperature on gas.

Amontons was the first important deaf geologist. A geologist is a person who studies geology (MP4). Geologists study the earth. Amontons studied what the earth was made of. He also studied what causes earthquakes (MP4).

There was no deaf community in France when Amontons was alive. He was very active in the hearing community. Amontons was a member of the Academy of Sciences. The Academy of Sciences is a group of people that meet to talk about science. He made many presentations (MP4) at the meetings. Being deaf did not affect his career.