XLVI National Congress of the Italian Society for the History of Physics and Astronomy

The Ising Model: 100 Years of Connections Between Physics and Complexity

15 Sept 2026, 16:15

25m

The History of Physics and Astronomy History of Physics in 20th Century

Speaker

Spairani, Luisa

Description

Published in 1925, the Ising model represents a foundational milestone in statistical physics. Originally developed by Ernst Ising—under the guidance of his supervisor, Wilhelm Lenz—as a simplified mathematical framework to explain ferromagnetic ordering, the model has evolved into an indispensable tool for studying phase transitions and many-body systems.
Beyond its origins in physics, the Ising model is celebrated for its deceptive simplicity and profound interdisciplinary impact. It serves as a universal paradigm for analyzing order, disorder, and complexity, with applications extending into chemistry, biology, economics, and social sciences.
Ising 100: A Century of Ideas, Networks, and Transitions to celebrate.