Guillaume lorentz biography books

Dutch physicist (–)

For the Land explorer, see Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz.

Hendrik Antoon Lorentz (, LORR-ənts; Dutch:[ˈɦɛndrɪkˈloːrɛnts]; 18 July – 4 Feb ) was a Dutch unrealistic physicist who shared the Chemist Prize in Physics with Pieter Zeeman for his theoretical extended of the Zeeman effect.

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He derived the Lorentz change of the special theory have a high regard for relativity, as well as righteousness Lorentz force, which describes glory combined electric and magnetic prop acting on a charged mote in an electromagnetic field. Physicist was also responsible for honourableness Lorentz oscillator model, a prototypical model used to describe righteousness anomalous dispersion observed in insulator materials when the driving ratio of the electric field was near the resonant frequency draw round the material, resulting in different refractive indices.

According to leadership biography published by the Chemist Foundation, "It may well put in writing said that Lorentz was upon by all theoretical physicists reorganization the world's leading spirit, who completed what was left unpurified by his predecessors and ready the ground for the all-purpose reception of the new substance based on the quantum theory."^[2] He received many other dignities and distinctions, including a label as chairman of the Ecumenical Committee on Intellectual Cooperation,^[3] loftiness forerunner of UNESCO, between suggest He was the father president doctoral advisor of Geertruida arm Haas-Lorentz.

Early life and education

Hendrik Lorentz was born in Metropolis, Gelderland, Netherlands, the son curiosity Gerrit Frederik Lorentz (–), tidy well-off horticulturist, and Geertruida vehivle Ginkel (–). In , funds his mother's death, his clergyman married Luberta Hupkes. Despite heart raised as a Protestant, prohibited was a freethinker in inexperienced matters and regularly attended Wide mass in his local Sculpturer church.^[4] From to , appease attended the "Hogere Burgerschool" snare Arnhem, a new type wages public high school recently authoritative by Johan Rudolph Thorbecke.

Cap results in school were exemplary; not only did he transcend in the physical sciences become peaceful mathematics, but also in Land, French, and German. In , he passed the exams derive classical languages which were run away with required for admission to University.^[5]

Lorentz studied physics and mathematics tempt Leiden University, where he was strongly influenced by the guiding of astronomy professor Frederik Kaiser; it was his influence defer led him to become top-hole physicist.

After earning a bachelor's degree, he returned to Metropolis in to teach night educational institution classes in mathematics, but unquestionable continued his studies in Metropolis in addition to his tutorial position. In , Lorentz justified a doctoral degree under Pieter Rijke on a thesis honoured "Over de theorie der terugkaatsing en breking van het licht" (On the theory of sympathy and refraction of light), case which he refined the electromagnetic theory of James Clerk Maxwell.^[5][6]

Career

Professor in Leiden

On 17 November , only 24 years of statement, Lorentz was appointed to class newly established chair in impracticable physics at the University have Leiden.

The position had first been offered to Johan front line der Waals, but he be a failure a position at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.^[5] On 25 Jan , Lorentz delivered his opening lecture on "De moleculaire theoriën in de natuurkunde" (The molecular theories in physics). In , he became member of nobleness Royal Netherlands Academy of Study and Sciences.^[7]

During the first 20 years in Leiden, Lorentz was primarily interested in the electromagnetic theory of electricity, magnetism, famous light.

After that, he lenghty his research to a practically wider area while still purpose on theoretical physics. Lorentz prefabricated significant contributions to fields ample from hydrodynamics to general relativity. His most important contributions were in the area of physics, the electron theory, and relativity.^[5]

Lorentz theorized that atoms might be made up of of charged particles and optional that the oscillations of these charged particles were the tone of light.

When a informality and former student of Lorentz's, Pieter Zeeman, discovered the Physicist effect in , Lorentz nutty its theoretical interpretation. The exploratory and theoretical work was intimate with the Nobel prize lecture in physics in Lorentz' name decay now associated with the Lorentz–Lorenz equation, the Lorentz force, high-mindedness Lorentzian distribution, the Lorentz oscillator model and the Lorentz modification.

Electrodynamics and relativity

Main articles: Physicist ether theory, History of festive relativity, History of Lorentz transformations §&#;Lorentz1, and History of Physicist transformations §&#;Lorentz2

In and , Physicist worked on describing electromagnetic phenomena (the propagation of light) case reference frames that move interconnected to the postulated luminiferous aether.^[8][9] He discovered that the modify from one to another surplus frame could be simplified vulgar using a new time fluctuating that he called local time and which depended on popular time and the location prep below consideration.

Although Lorentz did shout give a detailed interpretation appreciated the physical significance of district time, with it, he could explain the aberration of wildfowl and the result of picture Fizeau experiment. In and , Henri Poincaré called local put on ice Lorentz's "most ingenious idea" esoteric illustrated it by showing range clocks in moving frames funds synchronized by exchanging light signals that are assumed to travelling at the same speed bite the bullet and with the motion gradient the frame^[10][11] (see Einstein synchronization and Relativity of simultaneity).

Join , with the attempt bolster explain the Michelson–Morley experiment, Physicist also proposed that moving populate contract in the direction racket motion (see length contraction; Martyr FitzGerald had already arrived take into account this conclusion in ).^[12]

Outer shell and again in , Physicist added time dilation to monarch transformations and published what Poincaré in named Lorentz transformations.^[13][14]

It was apparently unknown to Lorentz go off Joseph Larmor had used same transformations to describe orbiting electrons in Larmor's and Lorentz's equations look somewhat dissimilar, but they are algebraically equivalent to those presented by Poincaré and Genius in ^[15] Lorentz's paper includes the covariant formulation of electrodynamics, in which electrodynamic phenomena expansion different reference frames are averred by identical equations with arrive defined transformation properties.

The finding clearly recognizes the significance go along with this formulation, namely that say publicly outcomes of electrodynamic experiments shindig not depend on the related motion of the reference backdrop. The paper includes a thorough discussion of the increase closing stages the inertial mass of speedily moving objects in a lumbering attempt to make momentum inspect exactly like Newtonian momentum; flaunt was also an attempt withstand explain the length contraction similarly the accumulation of "stuff" gather mass making it slow wallet contract.

Lorentz and special relativity

In , Einstein would use spend time at of the concepts, mathematical channels and results Lorentz discussed succumb to write his paper entitled "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies",^[16] known today as the momentous theory of relativity.

Because Physicist laid the fundamentals for primacy work by Einstein, this opinion was originally called the Lorentz–Einstein theory.^[17]

In , Lorentz's electron idea received a full-fledged treatment call a halt his lectures at Columbia Establishing, published under the title Honourableness Theory of Electrons.

The wax of mass was the cardinal prediction of Lorentz and Aptitude to be tested, but sundry experiments by Kaufmann appeared walk show a slightly different extensive increase; this led Lorentz brand the famous remark that sharptasting was "au bout de preceding latin" ("at the end funding my [knowledge of] Latin" = at his wit's end)^[18] Magnanimity confirmation of his prediction esoteric to wait until and posterior (see Kaufmann–Bucherer–Neumann experiments).

Lorentz obtainable a series of papers multinational with what he called "Einstein's principle of relativity". For dispute, in ,^{[19][failed verification]} ,^{[20][21] [22]} In his lectures published become accustomed additions in in the work "The theory of electrons" (updated in ), he spoke favourably of Einstein's theory:^[19]

It will nominate clear by what has archaic said that the impressions customary by the two observers A0 and A would be comparable in all respects.

It would be impossible to decide which of them moves or stands still with respect to say publicly ether, and there would distrust no reason for preferring authority times and lengths measured emergency the one to those froward by the other, nor occupy saying that either of them is in possession of illustriousness "true" times or the "true" lengths.

This is a foundation which Einstein has laid frankly stress on, in a point in which he starts get out of what he calls the procedure of relativity, I cannot discourse with here of the many eminently interesting applications which Einstein has made of this principle.

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His mean concerning electromagnetic and optical phenomena agree in the main skilled those which we have derived in the preceding pages, grandeur chief difference being that Flair simply postulates what we control deduced, with some difficulty perch not altogether satisfactorily, from illustriousness fundamental equations of the electromagnetic field.

By doing so, crystalclear may certainly take credit fit in making us see in character negative result of experiments materialize those of Michelson, Rayleigh submit Brace, not a fortuitous alimony of opposing effects, but probity manifestation of a general take fundamental principle. It would amend unjust not to add renounce, besides the fascinating boldness be beaten its starting point, Einstein's uncertainly has another marked advantage power mine.

Whereas I have whine been able to obtain escort the equations referred to roaming axes exactly the same variation as for those which utilize to a stationary system, Brain has accomplished this by pitch of a system of fresh variables slightly different from those which I have introduced.

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

Yet, I contemplate, something may also be avowed in favour of the concealing outfit in which I have blaze the theory.

I cannot on the contrary regard the ether, which get close be the seat of block up electromagnetic field with its drive and its vibrations, as blessed with a certain degree go with substantiality, however different it hawthorn be from all ordinary matter.^[19]
Provided that there is enterprise aether, then under all systems x, y, z, t, assault is preferred by the truth, that the coordinate axes although well as the clocks be conscious of resting in the aether.

Provided one connects with this magnanimity idea (which I would dispense with only reluctantly) that space boss time are completely different nonconforming, and that there is top-notch "true time" (simultaneity thus would be independent of the mark, in agreement with the ceremony that we can have high-mindedness idea of infinitely great velocities), then it can be naturally seen that this true heart should be indicated by alfileria at rest in the ether.

However, if the relativity law had general validity in environment, one wouldn't be in ethics position to determine, whether representation reference system just used progression the preferred one. Then get someone on the blower comes to the same paltry, as if one (following Maestro and Minkowski) deny the life of the aether and rot true time, and to authority all reference systems as similar to one another valid.

Which of these several ways of thinking one evenhanded following, can surely be nautical port to the individual.^[20]

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

Indeed, for some of blue blood the gentry physical quantities which enter rank formulas, I did not mark the transformation which suits decent.

That was done by Poincaré and then by Mr. Master and Minkowski. I did shriek succeed in obtaining the hardhitting invariance of the equations. Poincaré, on the contrary, obtained uncomplicated perfect invariance of the equations of electrodynamics, and he formulated the "postulate of relativity", particulars which he was the chief to employ.

Let us append that by correcting the imperfections of my work he not in a million years reproached me for them.

Lorentz fairy story general relativity

Lorentz was one ingratiate yourself few scientists who supported Einstein's search for general relativity carry too far the beginning – he wrote several research papers and case with Einstein personally and gross letter.^[24] For instance, he attempted to combine Einstein's formalism work to rule Hamilton's principle (),^[25] and tip reformulate it in a coordinate-free way ().^[26][27] Lorentz wrote market ^[28]

The total eclipse of honourableness sun of May 29, resulted in a striking confirmation admire the new theory of position universal attractive power of performance developed by Albert Einstein, skull thus reinforced the conviction range the defining of this knowledge is one of the domineering important steps ever taken discern the domain of natural science.

Lorentz and quantum mechanics

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

Change of priorities

In , Lorentz decided to turn upside down his life.

His teaching captivated management duties at Leiden Introduction were taking up too unwarranted of his time, leaving him little time for research. Inconsequential , he resigned from cap chair of theoretical physics harmony become curator of the "Physics Cabinet" at Teylers Museum contact Haarlem. He remained connected detect Leiden University as an alien professor, and his "Monday farewell lectures" on new developments bind theoretical physics soon became legendary.^[5]

Lorentz initially asked Einstein to lob him as professor of take out physics at Leiden.

However, Capacity could not accept because do something had just accepted a dress at ETH Zurich. Einstein difficult to understand no regrets in this stuff, since the prospect of securing to fill Lorentz's shoes grateful him shiver. Instead Lorentz prescribed Paul Ehrenfest as his match in the chair of conceptual physics at the Leiden Sanatorium, who would found the Organization for Theoretical Physics which would become known as the Physicist Institute.^[5]

Civil work

After World War Funny, Lorentz was one of ethics driving forces behind the establishment of the "Wetenschappelijke Commissie vehivle Advies en Onderzoek in correctness Belang van Volkswelvaart en Weerbaarheid", a committee which was oratory bombast harness the scientific potential concerted in the Royal Netherlands Institution of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) for solving civil problems specified as food shortage which locked away resulted from the war.

Physicist was appointed chair of honourableness committee. However, despite the outdistance efforts of many of dignity participants the committee would output little success. The only omission being that it ultimately resulted in the founding of TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Operating Scientific Research.^[5]

Lorentz was also intentionally by the Dutch government principle chair a committee to approximate some of the effects cut into the proposed Afsluitdijk (Enclosure Dam) flood control dam on distilled water levels in the Waddenzee.

Hydraulic engineering was mainly an observed science at that time, however the disturbance of the tidal flow caused by the Afsluitdijk was so unprecedented that justness empirical rules could not pull up trusted. Originally Lorentz was nonpareil supposed to have a coordinative role in the committee, however it quickly became apparent delay Lorentz was the only physicist to have any fundamental draught on the problem.

In birth period till , Lorentz endowed a large portion of dominion time in the problem.^[30] Physicist proposed to start from say publicly basic hydrodynamic equations of uproar and solve the problem mephitic. This was feasible for skilful "human computer", because of probity quasi-one-dimensional nature of the h flow in the Waddenzee.

Blue blood the gentry Afsluitdijk was completed in , and the predictions of Physicist and his committee turned spokesperson to be remarkably accurate.^[31][5] Flavour of the two sets spend 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 ethics Academy of Fine Arts. Noteworthy was the Director of probity museum which later became rank well-known Rijksmuseum (National Gallery). Appease also was the designer be advantageous to the first postage stamps call up The Netherlands.

There were span daughters, and one son reject this marriage.

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

Death

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

The funeral took place finish equal Haarlem at noon on Weekday, February At the stroke be advisable for twelve the State telegraph vital telephone services of Holland were suspended for three minutes primate a revered tribute to illustriousness greatest man the Netherlands has produced in our time.

Set out was attended by many colleagues and distinguished physicists from tramontane countries. The President, Sir Ernest Rutherford, represented the Royal Speak in unison and made an appreciative pursuit by the graveside.

—&#;O. W. Richardson^[33]

Unique film footage of the interment procession with a lead sending followed by ten mourners, followed by a carriage with dignity coffin, followed in turn gross at least four more carriages, passing by a crowd suffer the Grote Markt, Haarlem, implant the Zijlstraat to the Smedestraat, and then back again rainy the Grote Houtstraat towards honesty Barteljorisstraat, on the way stopper the "Algemene Begraafplaats" at picture Kleverlaan (northern Haarlem cemetery), has been digitized on YouTube.^[34] In the middle of others, the funeral was bent filled by Albert Einstein and Marie Curie.^[35]

Legacy

Lorentz is considered one pan the prime representatives of nobleness "Second Dutch Golden Age", clean period of several decades neighbouring in which the natural sciences flourished in the Netherlands.^[5]

Richardson describes Lorentz as:

A man sharing remarkable intellectual powers.

Although steeped in his own investigation supplementary the moment, he always seemed to have in his crucial grasp its ramifications into now and then corner of the universe. Honesty singular clearness of his letters provides a striking reflection introduce his wonderful powers in that respect. He possessed and with flying colours employed the mental vivacity which is necessary to follow honourableness interplay of discussion, the astuteness which is required to dispense those statements which illuminate honourableness real difficulties, and the selflessness to lead the discussion centre of fruitful channels, and he blunt this so skillfully that interpretation process was hardly perceptible.^[33]

M.

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

For many years physicists had everywhere been eager "to hear what Lorentz will say about it" when a new theory was advanced, and, even at 72, he did not disappoint them.^[36]

Einstein wrote of Lorentz:

Say publicly enormous significance of his prepare consisted therein, that it forms the basis for the possibility of atoms and for rank general and special theories advance relativity.

The special theory was a more detailed expose chivalrous those concepts which are make higher in Lorentz's research of ^[37]
For me personally he designed more than all the starkness I have met on disheartened life's journey.^[38]

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

The uppermost satisfactory theory is that identical Lorentz; it is unquestionably righteousness theory that best explains greatness known facts, the one guarantee throws into relief the largest number of known relations.

Cuff is due to Lorentz go wool-gathering the results of Fizeau art the optics of moving population, the laws of normal arena abnormal dispersion and of immersion are connected with each molest. Look at the ease reach a compromise which the new Zeeman episode found its place, and regular aided the classification of Faraday's magnetic rotation, which had disturbed all Maxwell's efforts.

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

It will get into Lorentz's main claim to atrocity that he demonstrated that high-mindedness fundamental equations of electromagnetism along with allow of a group slant transformations that enables them suggest resume the same form considering that a transition is made flight one reference system to recourse.

This group differs fundamentally the above group as good wishes transformations of space and time.''

Lorentz was chairman of the leading Solvay Conference held in Brussels in the autumn of By after the conference, Poincaré wrote an essay on quantum physics which gives an indication look up to Lorentz's status at the time:^[41]

At every moment the twenty physicists from different countries could remedy heard talking of the [quantum mechanics] which they contrasted disagree with the old mechanics.

Now what was the old mechanics? Was it that of Newton, greatness one which still reigned decisive at the close of picture nineteenth century? No, it was the mechanics of Lorentz, say publicly one dealing with the enactment of relativity; the one which, hardly five years ago, seemed to be the height detailed boldness.

In addition to the Philanthropist Prize, Lorentz received a ready to go many honours for his incomplete work.

He was elected fastidious Foreign Member of the Monarchical Society (ForMemRS) in ^[1] Interpretation Society awarded him their Rumford Medal in and their Painter Medal in He was elective an Honorary Member of nobleness Netherlands Chemical Society in ^[42] He was an International Party of the American Philosophical Country, the United States National Institution of Sciences, and the Earth Academy of Arts and Sciences.^[43][44][45]

See also

Publications

• Many papers by Lorentz (mostly in English) are available present online viewing in the Proceeding of the Royal Netherlands Institution of Arts and Science, Amsterdam.
• Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon (), "Considerations manipulation 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