What was Einstein’s real achievement in his 1905 theory of special relativity?
Several years before Einstein published his 1905 theory of special relativity, ether theorists had essentially discovered the main relativistic effects predicted by the theory: length contraction, time dilation and the relativity of simultaneity. In this lecture I will argue that Einstein’s work was more than a novel exercise in packaging (providing a “principle” rather than “constructive” approach). It also introduced a completely unprecedented way of understanding the physical meaning of the mathematics of motion.
Date:
11 November 2019, 16:00 (Monday, 5th week, Michaelmas 2019)
Venue:
History Faculty, George Street OX1 2RL
Venue Details:
Lecture Theatre
Speaker:
Professor Harvey Brown (University of Oxford)
Part of:
Centre for the History of Science Medicine and Technology (OCHSMT) Seminars and Events
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Belinda Clark
