Ernst Mach

Ernst Mach Inner perspective

Photography of bow shock waves around a brass bullet, 1888

Mach, Ernst (1905)

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Ernst Mach - Rathauspark, Vienna

Mach's spinning chair

Ernst Mach (18 February 1838 – 19 February 1916) was an Austrian physicist and philosopher, noted for his contributions to physics, the philosophy of science, and the study of the psychology of sensation. His work in physics involved studies in optics, acoustics, and fluid dynamics. Mach's principle, which posits that the inertia of a body is influenced by its interaction with the rest of the universe, and his critique of Newtonian mechanics were influential in the development of Einstein's theory of general relativity. In philosophy, Mach advocated for Empirio-criticism, emphasizing the importance of sensory experience in the formation of scientific knowledge.

Early Life and Education

Ernst Mach was born in Chrlice (now part of Brno), Moravia, in the Austrian Empire. He was educated at home until the age of 14, after which he attended a gymnasium in Moravia. He later enrolled at the University of Vienna, where he studied physics and mathematics. Mach graduated in 1860 with a doctorate in physics.

Career

After completing his education, Mach accepted a position as a professor of mathematics at the University of Graz in 1864. He later moved to the University of Prague in 1867, where he was appointed as the chair of experimental physics. During his tenure at Prague, Mach conducted extensive research in optics, acoustics, and especially the study of shock waves. One of his significant contributions was the discovery of the Mach number, a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium.

In 1895, Mach returned to the University of Vienna, taking the position of chair of the philosophy of the inductive sciences. Here, he continued his work in physics and contributed significantly to the philosophy of science, advocating for a positivist approach that emphasized the importance of empirical evidence and sensory experience in the formation of scientific theories.

Philosophical Contributions

Mach's philosophical views were critical of the mechanistic approach of classical Newtonian physics. He argued that scientific concepts should be based solely on observable phenomena and that unobservable entities like absolute space and time had no place in science. These ideas influenced the development of logical positivism and were an important precursor to the theory of general relativity.

Legacy

Ernst Mach's contributions to physics and philosophy had a lasting impact on the development of modern science. His work on the analysis of sensations influenced the fields of psychology and the philosophy of mind. The Mach number remains a fundamental concept in the study of fluid dynamics and aerodynamics. Mach's critique of Newtonian mechanics and his philosophical ideas paved the way for the development of 20th-century physics, influencing figures such as Albert Einstein and the Vienna Circle.

Death

Ernst Mach passed away on 19 February 1916 in Haar, near Munich, Germany. His legacy continues to influence various fields of science and philosophy.