Astronomy- A Historical Saga: Part 4

4

Einstein: Who Shaped the Modern Physics

Welcome to the age, where science rules every sphere of life- Modern age. This age started in early 20^th century. Between Newton and Einstein, there had been no important researches on astronomy, which can be highlighted. So, from the period Newton’s death to Einstein’s birth (1727-1879), astronomy-science was in hibernation.

Albert Einstein; we all honor him as one of the greatest scientists of time. He was devoted to Newton’s laws. But there was something wrong! Newton’s concept is at average works everywhere, but it can’t explain some particular incidents specifically. Scientific method was developed in late 19^th century. According to this new method, a theory that fails to explain a specific incident; is thrown to trash. So, Newton’s researches were trashed in order to establish another revolution- The Einstein-revolution; A controversy of ages.

Einstein reached a new decision- the relativity. It’s a theory, which supports almost no constants. Everything is variable according to it. Einstein himself became an epic legend!

Einstein declined the theory of gravity. He thought of a universal structure, where space-time itself, is geodesic. He assembled all the space, time, mass and physical motions in a single theory. There is no absolute space, or absolute time. Universe is neither infinite nor limited. There is nothing beyond its volume.

Equation that changed our view forever.

. It’s Einstein’s most famous creation which shows that, energy and mass is in fact, the same. One is transformable to another.

In 1910 and 20s, Einstein published his researches, including the both parts of the relativity theory- General theory of Relativity and Special theory of relativity. Einstein achieved Noble prize in physics in 1921 for his research on law of photoelectric effect.

Einstein’s concept required a new kind of view. There also required a new type of geometry, where the summation of tree angle of a triangle is not equal to zero!

According to Einstein’s concept, mass bends space-time, and even, it slows down the speed of light! Parallels meet at a point. And even, many postulates and corollaries of Euclidian geometry are declined by this geodesic mathematical system. Universe is not flat as Newton thought. But it is more complex in structure that, no scientists had thought about it ever before Einstein.

Relativity: Mass bends Space-time Fabric

Einstein’s theory successfully explained the fluctuation of the orbits of the planets and their moons. The tip of Mercury often fluctuates. The following theory also explained that.

Einstein’s universe is expanding. But once, he did a big mistake. He couldn’t believe that universe can expand. He was influenced by the traditional constant-universe concept and created a constant. It is called Einstein’s gravitational constant. This didn’t support his theory. Later, when Edwin P Hubble observed the space and found that the universe is open and expanding; Einstein declared his constant as the greatest mistake of his life.

Einstein and his works are hard to describe in words. There are many funny stories about him in public. This great scientist died on 1955.