Walther Hermann Nernst was a German chemist and physicist who is known for his work on thermodynamics and electrochemistry. Synonyms include "W. H. Nernst" or simply "Nernst". He is best known for formulating the third law of thermodynamics, which describes the behavior of a system as it approaches absolute zero. Nernst also developed the Nernst equation, which describes the relationship between the concentration of ions and their electrical potential. His contributions have had a profound impact on our understanding of physical chemistry, and his work continues to be studied and applied today.