Posted in | News | Quantum Physics

Austrian Physicist May Have Contributed to Einstein’s Equation

Two American physicists outline the role played by Austrian physicist Friedrich Hasenöhrl in establishing the proportionality between the energy (E) of a quantity of matter with its mass (m) in a cavity filled with radiation. In a paper about to be published in EPJ H, Stephen Boughn from Haverford College in Pensylvannia and Tony Rothman from Princeton University in New Jersey argue how Hasenöhrl's work, for which he now receives little credit, may have contributed to the famous equation E=mc2.

According to science philosopher Thomas Kuhn, the nature of scientific progress occurs through paradigm shifts, which depend on the cultural and historical circumstances of groups of scientists. Concurring with this idea, the authors believe the notion that mass and energy should be related did not originate solely with Hasenöhrl. Nor did it suddenly emerge in 1905, when Einstein published his paper, as popular mythology would have it.

Given the lack of recognition for Hasenöhrl's contribution, the authors examined the Austrian physicist's original work on blackbody radiation in a cavity with perfectly reflective walls. This study seeks to identify the blackbody's mass changes when the cavity is moving relative to the observer.

They then explored the reason why the Austrian physicist arrived at an energy/mass correlation with the wrong factor, namely at the equation: E = (3/8) mc2. Hasenöhrl's error, they believe, stems from failing to account for the mass lost by the blackbody while radiating.

Before Hasenöhrl focused on cavity radiation, other physicists, including French mathematician Henri Poincaré and German physicist Max Abraham, showed the existence of an inertial mass associated with electromagnetic energy. In 1905, Einstein gave the correct relationship between inertial mass and electromagnetic energy, E=mc2. Nevertheless, it was not until 1911 that German physicist Max von Laue generalised it to include all forms of energy.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Springer - Science and Technology Publishers. (2019, February 18). Austrian Physicist May Have Contributed to Einstein’s Equation. AZoQuantum. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from https://www.azoquantum.com/News.aspx?newsID=386.

  • MLA

    Springer - Science and Technology Publishers. "Austrian Physicist May Have Contributed to Einstein’s Equation". AZoQuantum. 13 December 2024. <https://www.azoquantum.com/News.aspx?newsID=386>.

  • Chicago

    Springer - Science and Technology Publishers. "Austrian Physicist May Have Contributed to Einstein’s Equation". AZoQuantum. https://www.azoquantum.com/News.aspx?newsID=386. (accessed December 13, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Springer - Science and Technology Publishers. 2019. Austrian Physicist May Have Contributed to Einstein’s Equation. AZoQuantum, viewed 13 December 2024, https://www.azoquantum.com/News.aspx?newsID=386.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.