MAGNUS, HEINRICH GUSTAV

MAGNUS, HEINRICH GUSTAV (1802–1870), German chemist and physicist. Magnus, who was born in Berlin into a wealthy family, left Judaism. He began teaching at the University of Berlin in 1831. From 1845 to 1869 he was professor of physics and technology at Berlin, and in 1861 became rector of the university. His numerous discoveries include the first platinum-ammonia complex, Magnus' green salt (Pt(NH₃)₄)Pt-CI₄) and the "Magnus Effect." The latter referred originally to projectiles which, subjected to rapid rotation, are turned aside from their original direction by forces which act upon them crosswise. It has important aerodynamic applications. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Huntress, in: Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Science, 81 (1952), 70f. (Samuel Aaron Miller)