Wilhelm Scherrer

Wilhelm Scherrer was a physicist known for discovering the "Scherrer equation," which relates the size of tiny crystals to the way they scatter X-rays. This principle helps scientists determine the size of very small crystal particles in materials such as powders or minerals. By analyzing the pattern and broadening of X-ray diffraction peaks, the Scherrer equation allows researchers to estimate crystal sizes typically in the nanometer range. His work is fundamental in fields like material science, chemistry, and geology for characterizing the microscopic structure of substances.