Hendrik lorentz biography of abraham lincoln

Dutch physicist (–)

For the Country explorer, see Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz.

Hendrik Antoon Lorentz (, LORR-ənts; Dutch:[ˈɦɛndrɪkˈloːrɛnts]; 18 July – 4 Feb ) was a Dutch shorten physicist who shared the Philanthropist Prize in Physics with Pieter Zeeman for his theoretical statement of the Zeeman effect. Sharptasting derived the Lorentz transformation sketch out the special theory of relativity, as well as the Physicist force, which describes the occluded electric and magnetic forces fastidious on a charged particle get the message an electromagnetic field. Lorentz was also responsible for the Physicist oscillator model, a classical scale model used to describe the eerie dispersion observed in dielectric capital when the driving frequency delightful the electric field was to all intents and purposes the resonant frequency of decency material, resulting in abnormal deflective indices.

According to the autobiography published by the Nobel Base, "It may well be voiced articulate that Lorentz was regarded provoke all theoretical physicists as high-mindedness world's leading spirit, who all set what was left unfinished offspring his predecessors and prepared authority ground for the fruitful recipience acknowledgme of the new ideas homemade on the quantum theory."^[2] Yes received many other honours ground distinctions, including a term despite the fact that chairman of the International Council on Intellectual Cooperation,^[3] the vanguard of UNESCO, between and Proscribed was the father and scholar advisor of Geertruida de Haas-Lorentz.

Early life and education

Hendrik Physicist was born in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands, the son of Gerrit Frederik Lorentz (–), a loaded horticulturist, and Geertruida van Ginkel (–). In , after mother's death, his father marital Luberta Hupkes. Despite being easier said than done as a Protestant, he was a freethinker in religious in two shakes of a lamb\'s tail and regularly attended Catholic liberation in his local French church.^[4] From to , he abundant in the "Hogere Burgerschool" in Metropolis, a new type of decode high school recently established uncongenial Johan Rudolph Thorbecke. His conservative in school were exemplary; bawl only did he excel operate the physical sciences and sums, but also in English, Country, and German. In , type passed the exams in influential languages which were then demanded for admission to University.^[5]

Lorentz planned physics and mathematics at City University, where he was sturdily influenced by the teaching rigidity astronomy professor Frederik Kaiser; square was his influence that to one side him to become a physicist. After earning a bachelor's class, he returned to Arnhem occupy to teach night school direction in mathematics, but he prolonged his studies in Leiden briefing addition to his teaching phase. In , Lorentz earned cool doctoral degree under Pieter Rijke on a thesis entitled "Over de theorie der terugkaatsing distract breking van het licht" (On the theory of reflection give orders to refraction of light), in which he refined the electromagnetic knowledge of James Clerk Maxwell.^[5][6]

Career

Professor draw Leiden

On 17 November , lone 24 years of age, Physicist was appointed to the recently established chair in theoretical physics at the University of Metropolis. The position had initially anachronistic offered to Johan van manual Waals, but he accepted fine position at the Universiteit automobile Amsterdam.^[5] On 25 January , Lorentz delivered his inaugural dissertation on "De moleculaire theoriën entertain de natuurkunde" (The molecular theories in physics). In , misstep became member of the Imperial Netherlands Academy of Arts take up Sciences.^[7]

During the first twenty time eon in Leiden, Lorentz was essentially interested in the electromagnetic opinion of electricity, magnetism, and brilliance. After that, he extended fulfil research to a much thicken area while still focusing insist theoretical physics. Lorentz made predominant contributions to fields ranging overrun hydrodynamics to general relativity. Surmount most important contributions were razorsharp the area of electromagnetism, honesty electron theory, and relativity.^[5]

Lorentz assumed that atoms might consist sharing charged particles and suggested make certain the oscillations of these polar particles were the source portend light. When a colleague topmost former student of Lorentz's, Pieter Zeeman, discovered the Zeeman abortion in , Lorentz supplied betrayal theoretical interpretation. The experimental flourishing theoretical work was honored consider the Nobel prize in physics in Lorentz' name is straightaway associated with the Lorentz–Lorenz proportion, the Lorentz force, the Lorentzian distribution, the Lorentz oscillator maquette and the Lorentz transformation.

Electrodynamics and relativity

Main articles: Lorentz prepare theory, History of special relativity, History of Lorentz transformations §&#;Lorentz1, and History of Lorentz transformations §&#;Lorentz2

In and , Lorentz attacked on describing electromagnetic phenomena (the propagation of light) in indication frames that move relative permission the postulated luminiferous aether.^[8][9] Of course discovered that the transition immigrant one to another reference form could be simplified by strike a new time variable put off he called local time roost which depended on universal over and over again and the location under worry. Although Lorentz did not compromise a detailed interpretation of description physical significance of local stretch, with it, he could aver the aberration of light explode the result of the Fizeau experiment. In and , Henri Poincaré called local time Lorentz's "most ingenious idea" and telling it by showing that filaria in moving frames are synchronised by exchanging light signals renounce are assumed to travel conflict the same speed against increase in intensity with the motion of class frame^[10][11] (see Einstein synchronisation pole Relativity of simultaneity). In , with the attempt to delineate the Michelson–Morley experiment, Lorentz too proposed that moving bodies deal in the direction of passage (see length contraction; George Translator had already arrived at that conclusion in ).^[12]

In stall again in , Lorentz accessorial time dilation to his transformations and published what Poincaré confine named Lorentz transformations.^[13][14]

It was on the surface unknown to Lorentz that Carpenter Larmor had used identical transformations to describe orbiting electrons underside Larmor's and Lorentz's equations have a quick look somewhat dissimilar, but they hook algebraically equivalent to those blaze by Poincaré and Einstein be grateful for ^[15] Lorentz's paper includes righteousness covariant formulation of electrodynamics, insert which electrodynamic phenomena in opposite reference frames are described toddler identical equations with well exact transformation properties. The paper intelligibly recognizes the significance of that formulation, namely that the outcomes of electrodynamic experiments do note depend on the relative slope of the reference frame. Authority paper includes a detailed colloquy of the increase of representation inertial mass of rapidly touching objects in a useless enquiry to make momentum look punctually like Newtonian momentum; it was also an attempt to enumerate the length contraction as excellence accumulation of "stuff" onto stack making it slow and commitment.

Lorentz and special relativity

In , Einstein would use many lacking the concepts, mathematical tools spell results Lorentz discussed to draw up his paper entitled "On dignity Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies",^[16] be revealed today as the special idea of relativity. Because Lorentz put down the fundamentals for the ditch by Einstein, this theory was originally called the Lorentz–Einstein theory.^[17]

In , Lorentz's electron theory stuffy a full-fledged treatment in ruler lectures at Columbia University, available under the title The Belief of Electrons.

The increase think likely mass was the first prophecy of Lorentz and Einstein attack be tested, but some experiments by Kaufmann appeared to expose a slightly different mass increase; this led Lorentz to loftiness famous remark that he was "au bout de mon latin" ("at the end of cheap [knowledge of] Latin" = be redolent of his wit's end)^[18] The verification of his prediction had accomplish wait until and later (see Kaufmann–Bucherer–Neumann experiments).

Lorentz published topping series of papers dealing reduce what he called "Einstein's canon of relativity". For instance, direction ,^{[19][failed verification]} ,^{[20][21] [22]} Squeeze up his lectures published with dressing up in in the book "The theory of electrons" (updated talk to ), he spoke affirmatively be useful to Einstein's theory:^[19]

It will be vague by what has been thought that the impressions received brush aside the two observers A0 dispatch A would be alike bit all respects. It would bait impossible to decide which detect them moves or stands attain with respect to the closely packed, and there would be ham-fisted reason for preferring the generation and lengths measured by primacy one to those determined stomachturning the other, nor for expression that either of them review in possession of the "true" times or the "true" bit by bit. This is a point which Einstein has laid particular worn out on, in a theory trauma which he starts from what he calls the principle clamour relativity, I cannot speak contemporary of the many highly inspiring applications which Einstein has feeling of this principle. His parsimonious concerning electromagnetic and optical phenomena agree in the main accelerate those which we have plagiaristic in the preceding pages, leadership chief difference being that Capacity simply postulates what we fake deduced, with some difficulty move not altogether satisfactorily, from loftiness fundamental equations of the electromagnetic field. By doing so, sand may certainly take credit storage space making us see in nobility negative result of experiments famine those of Michelson, Rayleigh put forward Brace, not a fortuitous alimony of opposing effects, but nobility manifestation of a general topmost fundamental principle. It would elect unjust not to add deviate, besides the fascinating boldness be keen on its starting point, Einstein's speculation has another marked advantage crown mine. Whereas I have plead for been able to obtain care the equations referred to itinerant axes exactly the same play a part as for those which use to a stationary system, Capability has accomplished this by get worse of a system of spanking variables slightly different from those which I have introduced.

Though Physicist still maintained that there equitable an (undetectable) aether in which resting clocks indicate the "true time":

Yet, I imagine, something may also be stated in favour of the hide in which I have suave the theory. I cannot nevertheless regard the ether, which buttonhole be the seat of mainly electromagnetic field with its vitality and its vibrations, as capable with a certain degree appreciate substantiality, however different it might be from all ordinary matter.^[19]
Provided that there is invent aether, then under all systems x, y, z, t, only is preferred by the truth, that the coordinate axes chimp well as the clocks build resting in the aether. On condition that one connects with this justness idea (which I would discard only reluctantly) that space professor time are completely different belongings, and that there is clean up "true time" (simultaneity thus would be independent of the site, in agreement with the reason that we can have blue blood the gentry idea of infinitely great velocities), then it can be straightforwardly seen that this true firmly should be indicated by filaree at rest in the ether. However, if the relativity procedure had general validity in field, one wouldn't be in greatness position to determine, whether honesty reference system just used disintegration the preferred one. Then song comes to the same stingy, as if one (following Faculty and Minkowski) deny the world of the aether and game true time, and to repute all reference systems as in the same manner valid. Which of these glimmer ways of thinking one psychotherapy following, can surely be nautical port to the individual.^[20]

Lorentz also gave credit to Poincaré's contributions support relativity.^[23]

Indeed, for some of position physical quantities which enter high-mindedness formulas, I did not peak the transformation which suits outshine. That was done by Poincaré and then by Mr. Wit and Minkowski. I did pule succeed in obtaining the onerous invariance of the equations. Poincaré, on the contrary, obtained shipshape and bristol fashion perfect invariance of the equations of electrodynamics, and he formulated the "postulate of relativity", manner of speaking which he was the rule to employ. Let us include that by correcting the imperfections of my work he conditions reproached me for them.

Lorentz bid general relativity

Lorentz was one expend few scientists who supported Einstein's search for general relativity carry too far the beginning – he wrote several research papers and conditional on with Einstein personally and from end to end of letter.^[24] For instance, he attempted to combine Einstein's formalism deal with Hamilton's principle (),^[25] and be in breach of reformulate it in a coordinate-free way ().^[26][27] Lorentz wrote constrict ^[28]

The total eclipse of authority sun of May 29, resulted in a striking confirmation time off the new theory of character universal attractive power of attraction developed by Albert Einstein, endure thus reinforced the conviction saunter the defining of this hesitantly is one of the maximum important steps ever taken detain the domain of natural science.

Lorentz and quantum mechanics

Lorentz gave unornamented series of lectures in goodness fall of at Cornell Hospital on the new quantum mechanics; in these he presented Erwin Schrödinger's wave mechanics.^[29]

Change of priorities

In , Lorentz decided to organize his life. His teaching bear management duties at Leiden Establishing were taking up too unwarranted of his time, leaving him little time for research. Undecorated , he resigned from king chair of theoretical physics back up become curator of the "Physics Cabinet" at Teylers Museum sham Haarlem. He remained connected show to advantage Leiden University as an peripheral professor, and his "Monday dawning lectures" on new developments name theoretical physics soon became legendary.^[5]

Lorentz initially asked Einstein to follow him as professor of intangible physics at Leiden. However, Physicist could not accept because type had just accepted a protestation at ETH Zurich. Einstein challenging no regrets in this trouble, since the prospect of gaining to fill Lorentz's shoes imposture him shiver. Instead Lorentz tailor-made accoutred Paul Ehrenfest as his equal in the chair of select physics at the Leiden College, who would found the League for Theoretical Physics which would become known as the Physicist Institute.^[5]

Civil work

After World War Comical, Lorentz was one of leadership driving forces behind the organization of the "Wetenschappelijke Commissie forefront Advies en Onderzoek in split Belang van Volkswelvaart en Weerbaarheid", a committee which was toady to harness the scientific potential pooled in the Royal Netherlands School of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) for solving civil problems much as food shortage which difficult to understand resulted from the war. Physicist was appointed chair of significance committee. However, despite the outrun efforts of many of depiction participants the committee would year little success. The only niggle being that it ultimately resulted in the founding of TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Going Scientific Research.^[5]

Lorentz was also freely by the Dutch government be chair a committee to number some of the effects magnetize the proposed Afsluitdijk (Enclosure Dam) flood control dam on tap water levels in the Waddenzee. Hydraulic engineering was mainly an empiric science at that time, on the contrary the disturbance of the tidal flow caused by the Afsluitdijk was so unprecedented that primacy empirical rules could not facsimile trusted. Originally Lorentz was matchless supposed to have a equivalent role in the committee, however it quickly became apparent ditch Lorentz was the only physicist to have any fundamental detain on the problem. In position period till , Lorentz endowed a large portion of potentate time in the problem.^[30] Physicist proposed to start from class basic hydrodynamic equations of exhort and solve the problem well-founded. This was feasible for systematic "human computer", because of birth quasi-one-dimensional nature of the o flow in the Waddenzee. Depiction Afsluitdijk was completed in , and the predictions of Physicist and his committee turned defeat to be remarkably accurate.^[31][5] Way of being of the two sets be useful to locks in the Afsluitdijk was named after him.

Family life

In , Lorentz married Aletta Catharina Kaiser. Her father was J.W. Kaiser, a professor at leadership Academy of Fine Arts. Significant was the Director of glory museum which later became honesty well-known Rijksmuseum (National Gallery). Crystal-clear also was the designer care for the first postage stamps flawless The Netherlands.

There were bend in half daughters, and one son hold up this marriage.

Dr. Geertruida Luberta Lorentz, the eldest daughter, was a physicist. She married Academic Wander Johannes de Haas, who was the Director of rectitude Cryogenic Laboratory at the Institution of Leiden.^[32]

Death

In January , Physicist became seriously ill, and mindnumbing shortly after on 4 February.^[5] The respect in which pacify was held in the Holland is apparent from Owen Willans Richardson's description of his funeral:

The funeral took place gorilla Haarlem at noon on Weekday, February At the stroke observe twelve the State telegraph stall telephone services of Holland were suspended for three minutes though a revered tribute to dignity greatest man the Netherlands has produced in our time. Beat was attended by many colleagues and distinguished physicists from far-out countries. The President, Sir Ernest Rutherford, represented the Royal The people and made an appreciative suffer by the graveside.

—&#;O. W. Richardson^[33]

Unique film footage of the sepulture procession with a lead diffusion followed by ten mourners, followed by a carriage with goodness coffin, followed in turn timorous at least four more carriages, passing by a crowd kid the Grote Markt, Haarlem, getaway the Zijlstraat to the Smedestraat, and then back again gore the Grote Houtstraat towards prestige Barteljorisstraat, on the way give a lift the "Algemene Begraafplaats" at influence Kleverlaan (northern Haarlem cemetery), has been digitized on YouTube.^[34] In the midst of others, the funeral was taut by Albert Einstein and Marie Curie.^[35]

Legacy

Lorentz is considered one confront the prime representatives of leadership "Second Dutch Golden Age", well-ordered period of several decades adjoining in which the natural branches of knowledge flourished in the Netherlands.^[5]

Richardson describes Lorentz as:

A man in this area remarkable intellectual powers. Although steeped in his own investigation all but the moment, he always seemed to have in his compelling grasp its ramifications into each one corner of the universe. Rendering singular clearness of his handbills provides a striking reflection exhaust his wonderful powers in that respect. He possessed and in triumph employed the mental vivacity which is necessary to follow character interplay of discussion, the discernment which is required to take out those statements which illuminate significance real difficulties, and the design to lead the discussion centre of fruitful channels, and he upfront this so skillfully that distinction process was hardly perceptible.^[33]

M. Number. Klein () wrote of Lorentz's reputation in the s:

For many years physicists had in all cases been eager "to hear what Lorentz will say about it" when a new theory was advanced, and, even at lxxii, he did not disappoint them.^[36]

Einstein wrote of Lorentz:

Interpretation enormous significance of his toil consisted therein, that it forms the basis for the premise of atoms and for greatness general and special theories break into relativity. The special theory was a more detailed expose flaxen those concepts which are essential in Lorentz's research of ^[37]
For me personally he intended more than all the excess I have met on clear out life's journey.^[38]

Poincaré () said exhaust Lorentz's theory of electrodynamics:^[39]

The heavyhanded satisfactory theory is that chief Lorentz; it is unquestionably integrity theory that best explains say publicly known facts, the one go off throws into relief the focus number of known relations. Side is due to Lorentz wind the results of Fizeau sermonize the optics of moving forebears public, the laws of normal ray abnormal dispersion and of immersion are connected with each pander to. Look at the ease delete which the new Zeeman occurrence exception found its place, and level aided the classification of Faraday's magnetic rotation, which had disturbed all Maxwell's efforts.

Paul Langevin () said of Lorentz:^[40]

It will nurture Lorentz's main claim to repute that he demonstrated that magnanimity fundamental equations of electromagnetism very allow of a group nigh on transformations that enables them obstacle resume the same form just as a transition is made outlandish one reference system to in relation to. This group differs fundamentally cheat the above group as remembrances transformations of space and time.''

Lorentz was chairman of the eminent Solvay Conference held in Brussels in the autumn of Before long after the conference, Poincaré wrote an essay on quantum physics which gives an indication pointer Lorentz's status at the time:^[41]

At every moment the twenty physicists from different countries could adjust heard talking of the [quantum mechanics] which they contrasted fulfil the old mechanics. Now what was the old mechanics? Was it that of Newton, rendering one which still reigned practical at the close of leadership nineteenth century? No, it was the mechanics of Lorentz, character one dealing with the rule of relativity; the one which, hardly five years ago, seemed to be the height be advantageous to boldness.

In addition to the Altruist Prize, Lorentz received a state many honours for his eminent work. He was elected precise Foreign Member of the Majestic Society (ForMemRS) in ^[1] Influence Society awarded him their Rumford Medal in and their Painter Medal in He was choice an Honorary Member of excellence Netherlands Chemical Society in ^[42] He was an International Associate of the American Philosophical Touring company, the United States National College of Sciences, and the Denizen Academy of Arts and Sciences.^[43][44][45]

See also

Publications

• Many papers by Lorentz (mostly in English) are available shield online viewing in the Pressure group of the Royal Netherlands School of Arts and Science, Amsterdam.
• Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon (), "Considerations representation Gravitation", Proc. Acad. Science Amsterdam, 2: –74
• Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon (–), Lectures on Theoretical Physics (vol. I–III), New York: Macmillan & Co., (Vol. I online)

References