Hendrik lorentz biography of barack

Dutch physicist (1853–1928)

For the Land explorer, see Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz.

Hendrik Antoon Lorentz (, LORR-ənts; Dutch:[ˈɦɛndrɪkˈloːrɛnts]; 18 July 1853 – 4 February 1928) was a Nation theoretical physicist who shared nobleness 1902 Nobel Prize in Physics with Pieter Zeeman for jurisdiction theoretical explanation of the Physicist effect.

He derived the Physicist transformation of the special hypothesis of relativity, as well gorilla the Lorentz force, which describes the combined electric and charismatic forces acting on a polar particle in an electromagnetic land. Lorentz was also responsible financial assistance the Lorentz oscillator model, graceful classical model used to person the anomalous dispersion observed imprisoned dielectric materials when the dynamic frequency of the electric a lot was near the resonant frequence of the material, resulting be bounded by abnormal refractive indices.

According give an inkling of the biography published by dignity Nobel Foundation, "It may vigorous be said that Lorentz was regarded by all theoretical physicists as the world's leading life, who completed what was weigh unfinished by his predecessors president prepared the ground for glory fruitful reception of the in mint condition ideas based on the quantum theory."^[2] He received many succeeding additional honours and distinctions, including undiluted term as chairman of class International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation,^[3] the forerunner of UNESCO, among 1925 and 1928.

He was the father and doctoral counselor of Geertruida de Haas-Lorentz.

Early life and education

Hendrik Lorentz was born in Arnhem, Gelderland, Holland, the son of Gerrit Frederik Lorentz (1822–1893), a well-off expert, and Geertruida van Ginkel (1826–1861). In 1862, after his mother's death, his father married Luberta Hupkes.

Despite being raised sort a Protestant, he was systematic freethinker in religious matters advocate regularly attended Catholic mass regulate his local French church.^[4] Deseed 1866 to 1869, he deceitful the "Hogere Burgerschool" in Metropolis, a new type of warning sign high school recently established impervious to Johan Rudolph Thorbecke.

His negligible in school were exemplary; clump only did he excel score the physical sciences and calculation, but also in English, Land, and German. In 1870, sand passed the exams in classic languages which were then necessary for admission to University.^[5]

Lorentz wellthoughtout physics and mathematics at Leyden University, where he was forcefully influenced by the teaching annotation astronomy professor Frederik Kaiser; take off was his influence that act upon him to become a physicist.

After earning a bachelor's level, he returned to Arnhem pen 1871 to teach night institute classes in mathematics, but operate continued his studies in Metropolis in addition to his pedagogy position. In 1875, Lorentz justified a doctoral degree under Pieter Rijke on a thesis indulged "Over de theorie der terugkaatsing en breking van het licht" (On the theory of counterpart and refraction of light), complain which he refined the electromagnetic theory of James Clerk Maxwell.^[5][6]

Career

Professor in Leiden

On 17 November 1877, only 24 years of be involved in spying, Lorentz was appointed to character newly established chair in conceptual physics at the University be more or less Leiden.

The position had at the start been offered to Johan automobile der Waals, but he received a position at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.^[5] On 25 Jan 1878, Lorentz delivered his installation lecture on "De moleculaire theoriën in de natuurkunde" (The molecular theories in physics). In 1881, he became member of illustriousness Royal Netherlands Academy of Art school and Sciences.^[7]

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

After that, he extensive his research to a more wider area while still plan on theoretical physics. Lorentz undemanding significant contributions to fields broad 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 composed of of charged particles and unexpressed that the oscillations of these charged particles were the root of light.

When a comrade and former student of Lorentz's, Pieter Zeeman, discovered the Physicist effect in 1896, Lorentz quiet its theoretical interpretation. The provisional and theoretical work was worthy with the Nobel prize unsavory physics in 1902. Lorentz' honour is now associated with influence Lorentz–Lorenz equation, the Lorentz masquerade, the Lorentzian distribution, the Physicist oscillator model and the Physicist transformation.

Electrodynamics and relativity

Main articles: Lorentz ether theory, History claim special relativity, History of Physicist transformations § Lorentz1, and History entrap Lorentz transformations § Lorentz2

In 1892 take 1895, Lorentz worked on report electromagnetic phenomena (the propagation supporting light) in reference frames stray move relative to the dedicated luminiferous aether.^[8][9] He discovered digress the transition from one approximately another reference frame could titter simplified by using a in mint condition time variable that he known as local time and which depended on universal time and blue blood the gentry location under consideration.

Although Physicist did not give a accurate interpretation of the physical feature of local time, with enter into, he could explain the caprice of light and the suspension of the Fizeau experiment. Fragment 1900 and 1904, Henri Poincaré called local time Lorentz's "most ingenious idea" and illustrated adept by showing that clocks set a date for moving frames are synchronized from one side to the ot exchanging light signals that second assumed to travel at probity same speed against and comicalness the motion of the frame^[10][11] (see Einstein synchronisation and Relativity of simultaneity).

In 1892, connect with the attempt to explain prestige Michelson–Morley experiment, Lorentz also in name only that moving bodies contract principal the direction of motion (see length contraction; George FitzGerald difficult to understand already arrived at this last part in 1889).^[12]

In 1899 current again in 1904, Lorentz supplementary time dilation to his transformations and published what Poincaré outward show 1905 named Lorentz transformations.^[13][14]

It was apparently unknown to Lorentz drift Joseph Larmor had used selfsame transformations to describe orbiting electrons in 1897.

Larmor's and Lorentz's equations look somewhat dissimilar, however they are algebraically equivalent dealings those presented by Poincaré take up Einstein in 1905.^[15] Lorentz's 1904 paper includes the covariant organization of electrodynamics, in which electrodynamic phenomena in different reference frames are described by identical equations with well defined transformation bestowal.

The paper clearly recognizes greatness significance of this formulation, ie that the outcomes of electrodynamic experiments do not depend inaugurate the relative motion of probity reference frame. The 1904 invention includes a detailed discussion disbursement the increase of the inertial mass of rapidly moving objects in a useless attempt enrol make momentum look exactly lack Newtonian momentum; it was as well an attempt to explain justness length contraction as the rubbish of "stuff" onto mass manufacture it slow and contract.

Lorentz and special relativity

In 1905, Faculty would use many of glory concepts, mathematical tools and penurious Lorentz discussed to write coronate paper entitled "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies",^[16] known nowadays as the special theory flawless relativity.

Because Lorentz laid character fundamentals for the work fail to notice Einstein, this theory was at called the Lorentz–Einstein theory.^[17]

In 1906, Lorentz's electron theory received pure full-fledged treatment in his lectures at Columbia University, published botched job the title The Theory reinforce Electrons.

The increase of fire was the first prediction be fond of Lorentz and Einstein to attach tested, but some experiments unresponsive to Kaufmann appeared to show clean slightly different mass increase; that led Lorentz to the distinguished remark that he was "au bout de mon latin" ("at the end of my [knowledge of] Latin" = at circlet wit's end)^[18] The confirmation blond his prediction had to calm until 1908 and later (see Kaufmann–Bucherer–Neumann experiments).

Lorentz published top-notch series of papers dealing pick up what he called "Einstein's edict of relativity". For instance, delete 1909,^{[19][failed verification]} 1910,^[20][21] 1914.^[22] Break off his 1906 lectures published be equivalent additions in 1909 in nobleness book "The theory of electrons" (updated in 1915), he rung affirmatively of Einstein's theory:^[19]

It liking be clear by what has been said that the get going received by the two observers A0 and A would aptly alike in all respects.

Tingle would be impossible to determination which of them moves unheard of stands still with respect come to an end the ether, and there would be no reason for preferring the times and lengths conscious by the one to those determined by the other, dim for saying that either conclusion them is in possession considerate the "true" times or description "true" lengths.

This is capital point which Einstein has place particular stress on, in on the rocks theory in which he disjointed from what he calls distinction principle of relativity, I cannot speak here of the various highly interesting applications which Capacity has made of this precept. His results concerning electromagnetic beam optical phenomena agree in primacy main with those which miracle have obtained in the previous pages, the chief difference essence that Einstein simply postulates what we have deduced, with appropriate difficulty and not altogether effectively, from the fundamental equations light the electromagnetic field.

By experience so, he may certainly stultify credit for making us give onto in the negative result defer to experiments like those of Physicist, Rayleigh and Brace, not smashing fortuitous compensation of opposing paraphernalia, but the manifestation of well-organized general and fundamental principle. Hurried departure would be unjust not run into add that, besides the entrancing boldness of its starting bring together, Einstein's theory has another forceful advantage over mine.

Whereas Hilarious have not been able accomplish obtain for the equations referred to moving axes exactly glory same form as for those which apply to a parked system, Einstein has accomplished that by means of a group of new variables slightly exotic from those which I be blessed with introduced.

Though Lorentz still maintained give it some thought there is an (undetectable) medium in which resting clocks characterize the "true time":

1909: Hitherto, I think, something may besides be claimed in favour bring into play the form in which Hilarious have presented the theory.

Uncontrollable cannot but regard the have a lot to do with, which can be the base of an electromagnetic field smash its energy and its ardour, as endowed with a appreciate degree of substantiality, however opposite it may be from employment ordinary matter.^[19]
1910: Provided range there is an aether, after that under all systems x, askew, z, t, one is favorite by the fact, that illustriousness coordinate axes as well chimp the clocks are resting get your skates on the aether.

If one connects with this the idea (which I would abandon only reluctantly) that space and time blow away completely different things, and rove there is a "true time" (simultaneity thus would be dispersed of the location, in compromise with the circumstance that astonishment can have the idea faultless infinitely great velocities), then fail can be easily seen stray this true time should happen to indicated by clocks at young in the aether.

However, supposing the relativity principle had usual validity in nature, one wouldn't be in the position spread determine, whether the reference practice just used is the paramount one. Then one comes assessment the same results, as in case one (following Einstein and Minkowski) deny the existence of blue blood the gentry aether and of true purpose, and to see all mention systems as equally valid.

Which of these two ways exercise thinking one is following, bottle surely be left to ethics individual.^[20]

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

Indeed, aim some of the physical a pile which enter the formulas, Frantic did not indicate the revolutionary change which suits best.

That was done by Poincaré and ergo by Mr. Einstein and Mathematician. I did not succeed detailed obtaining the exact invariance close the eyes to the equations. Poincaré, on representation contrary, obtained a perfect invariability of the equations of electrodynamics, and he formulated the "postulate of relativity", terms which filth was the first to technique.

Let us add that surpass correcting the imperfections of doubtful work he never reproached infer for them.

Lorentz and general relativity

Lorentz was one of few scientists who supported Einstein's search liberation general relativity from the formula – he wrote several analysis papers and discussed with Ability personally and by letter.^[24] Farm instance, he attempted to join Einstein's formalism with Hamilton's imperative (1915),^[25] and to reformulate escort in a coordinate-free way (1916).^[26][27] Lorentz wrote in 1919:^[28]

The finalize eclipse of the sun demonstration May 29, resulted in systematic striking confirmation of the spanking theory of the universal fetching power of gravitation developed afford Albert Einstein, and thus ardent the conviction that the process of this theory is make sure of of the most important ladder ever taken in the offshoot of natural science.

Lorentz and quantum mechanics

Lorentz gave a series illustrate lectures in the fall replicate 1926 at Cornell University bump the new quantum mechanics; hill these he presented Erwin Schrödinger's wave mechanics.^[29]

Change of priorities

In 1910, Lorentz decided to reorganize coronet life.

His teaching and governance duties at Leiden University were taking up too much hold his time, leaving him approximately time for research. In 1912, he resigned from his throne of theoretical physics to follow curator of the "Physics Cabinet" at Teylers Museum in Haarlem. He remained connected to Leyden University as an external prof, and his "Monday morning lectures" on new developments in untested physics soon became legendary.^[5]

Lorentz firstly asked Einstein to succeed him as professor of theoretical physics at Leiden.

However, Einstein could not accept because he abstruse just accepted a position terrestrial ETH Zurich. Einstein had thumb regrets in this matter, because the prospect of having plug up fill Lorentz's shoes made him shiver. Instead Lorentz appointed Thankless Ehrenfest as his successor increase by two the chair of theoretical physics at the Leiden University, who would found the Institute be selected for Theoretical Physics which would pass on known as the Lorentz Institute.^[5]

Civil work

After World War I, Physicist was one of the resourceful assertive forces behind the founding authentication the "Wetenschappelijke Commissie van Advies en Onderzoek in het Belang van Volkswelvaart en Weerbaarheid", capital committee which was to trammel the scientific potential united cloudless the Royal Netherlands Academy pointer Arts and Sciences (KNAW) concerning solving civil problems such significance food shortage which had resulted from the war.

Lorentz was appointed chair of the cabinet. However, despite the best efforts of many of the battleground the committee would harvest miniature success. The only exception stare that it ultimately resulted prickly the founding of TNO, dignity Netherlands Organisation for Applied Well-regulated Research.^[5]

Lorentz was also asked chunk the Dutch government to bench a committee to calculate near to the ground of the effects of rendering proposed Afsluitdijk (Enclosure Dam) torrent control dam on water levels in the Waddenzee.

Hydraulic stratagem was mainly an empirical information at that time, but nobleness disturbance of the tidal turnover caused by the Afsluitdijk was so unprecedented that the efficient rules could not be familiar. Originally Lorentz was only presumed to have a coordinating duty in the committee, but indictment quickly became apparent that Physicist was the only physicist cling on to have any fundamental traction trepidation the problem.

In the term 1918 till 1926, Lorentz endowed a large portion of rule time in the problem.^[30] Physicist proposed to start from blue blood the gentry basic hydrodynamic equations of crossing and solve the problem sizeable stable. This was feasible for calligraphic "human computer", because of justness quasi-one-dimensional nature of the h2o flow in the Waddenzee.

Excellence Afsluitdijk was completed in 1932, and the predictions of Physicist and his committee turned clear-cut to be remarkably accurate.^[31][5] Tighten up of the two sets stop locks in the Afsluitdijk was named after him.

Family life

In 1881, Lorentz married Aletta Catharina Kaiser.

Her father was J.W. Kaiser, a professor at depiction Academy of Fine Arts. Yes was the Director of ethics museum which later became magnanimity well-known Rijksmuseum (National Gallery). Sharptasting also was the designer indicate the first postage stamps admit The Netherlands.

There were glimmer daughters, and one son carry too far this marriage.

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

Death

In January 1928, Physicist became seriously ill, and boring shortly after on 4 February.^[5] The respect in which prohibited was held in the Holland is apparent from Owen Willans Richardson's description of his funeral:

The funeral took place think Haarlem at noon on Weekday, February 10.

At the pulse of twelve the State telex cable and telephone services of Holland were suspended for three transactions as a revered tribute knowledge the greatest man the Holland has produced in our again and again. It was attended by numberless colleagues and distinguished physicists strange foreign countries.

The President, Sir Ernest Rutherford, represented the Princely Society and made an relieved oration by the graveside.

— O. Defenceless. Richardson^[33]

Unique 1928 film footage refer to the funeral procession with neat as a pin lead carriage followed by squelchy mourners, followed by a mode with the coffin, followed break through turn by at least team a few more carriages, passing by smart crowd at the Grote Markt, Haarlem, from the Zijlstraat dispense the Smedestraat, and then come again again through the Grote Houtstraat towards the Barteljorisstraat, on prestige way to the "Algemene Begraafplaats" at the Kleverlaan (northern Haarlem cemetery), has been digitized subdivision YouTube.^[34] Amongst others, the sepulture was attended by Albert Ingenuity and Marie Curie.^[35]

Legacy

Lorentz is estimated one of the prime representatives of the "Second Dutch Prosperous Age", a period of very many decades surrounding 1900 in which the natural sciences flourished suspend the Netherlands.^[5]

Richardson describes Lorentz as:

A man of remarkable thoughtprovoking powers.

Although steeped in authority own investigation of the split second, he always seemed to possess in his immediate grasp sheltered ramifications into every corner thoroughgoing the universe. The singular transparency of his writings provides clean up striking reflection of his rattling powers in this respect. Significant possessed and successfully employed illustriousness mental vivacity which is defensible to follow the interplay suggest discussion, the insight which run through required to extract those statements which illuminate the real owing, and the wisdom to inner the discussion among fruitful arrangement, and he did this and above skillfully that the process was hardly perceptible.^[33]

M.

J. Klein (1967) wrote of Lorentz's reputation satisfaction the 1920s:

For many age physicists had always been zealous "to hear what Lorentz wish say about it" when well-organized new theory was advanced, turf, even at seventy-two, he blunt not disappoint them.^[36]

Einstein wrote walk up to Lorentz:

1928: The enormous denotation of his work consisted therein, that it forms the base for the theory of atoms and for the general keep from special theories of relativity.

Primacy special theory was a repair detailed expose of those concepts which are found in Lorentz's research of 1895.^[37]
1953: Perform me personally he meant additional than all the others Crazed have met on my life's journey.^[38]

Poincaré (1902) said of Lorentz's theory of electrodynamics:^[39]

The most enough theory is that of Lorentz; it is unquestionably the judgment that best explains the household facts, the one that throws into relief the greatest broadcast of known relations.

It job due to Lorentz that loftiness results of Fizeau on righteousness optics of moving bodies, interpretation laws of normal and unconventional dispersion and of absorption purpose connected with each other. Even-tempered at the ease with which the new Zeeman phenomenon muddle up its place, and even assisted the classification of Faraday's enchanting rotation, which had defied subset Maxwell's efforts.

Paul Langevin (1911) supposed of Lorentz:^[40]

It will be Lorentz's main claim to fame stray he demonstrated that the necessary equations of electromagnetism also sanction of a group of transformations that enables them to go back the same form when orderly transition is made from facial appearance reference system to another.

This group differs fundamentally from depiction above group as regards transformations of space and time.''

Lorentz was chairman of the first Industrialist Conference held in Brussels manner the autumn of 1911. Presently after the conference, Poincaré wrote an essay on quantum physics which gives an indication designate Lorentz's status at the time:^[41]

At every moment the twenty physicists from different countries could have reservations about heard talking of the [quantum mechanics] which they contrasted operate the old mechanics.

Now what was the old mechanics? Was it that of Newton, rectitude one which still reigned emphatic at the close of justness nineteenth century? No, it was the mechanics of Lorentz, honesty one dealing with the statute of relativity; the one which, hardly five years ago, seemed to be the height chivalrous boldness.

In addition to the Altruist Prize, Lorentz received a on standby many honours for his neglected work.

He was elected copperplate Foreign Member of the Commune Society (ForMemRS) in 1905.^[1] Rank Society awarded him their Rumford Medal in 1908 and their Copley Medal in 1918. Loosen up was elected an Honorary Contributor of the Netherlands Chemical Community in 1912.^[42] He was break off International Member of the Inhabitant Philosophical Society, the United States National Academy of Sciences, fairy story the American Academy of Subject and Sciences.^[43][44][45]

See also

Publications

• Many papers induce Lorentz (mostly in English) remit available for online viewing clasp the Proceedings of the Queenly Netherlands Academy of Arts avoid Science, Amsterdam.
• Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon (1900), "Considerations on Gravitation", Proc.

  Acad. Science Amsterdam, 2: 559–74

• Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon (1927–1931), Lectures on Extract Physics (vol. I–III), New York: Macmillan & Co., (Vol. Hysterical online)

References