David Chapman (chemist)

David Leonard Chapman (1869 – 1958) was a British physical chemist known for his work on explosives, gaseous reactions, and the mathematical theory of detonation.

Chapman was born in Wells, Norfolk. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was a student and later a tutor. He spent most of his career at Jesus College, Oxford, researching and teaching chemistry.

His most significant contribution was the Chapman-Jouguet condition, developed independently and concurrently with Émile Jouguet. This condition, crucial in understanding detonation waves, defines the velocity and pressure at the point where the detonation wave leaves the explosive products.

Chapman also made significant contributions to the understanding of the kinetics of gaseous reactions, conducting detailed experimental studies on various chemical reactions and developing theoretical models to explain their behavior. His work was characterized by meticulous experimental technique and rigorous mathematical analysis. He received the Davy Medal from the Royal Society in 1947.