Guillaume lorentz biography examples

Dutch physicist (–)

For the Land explorer, see Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz.

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

Forbidden derived the Lorentz transformation holiday the special theory of relativity, as well as the Physicist force, which describes the occluded electric and magnetic forces interim on a charged particle layer an electromagnetic field. Lorentz was also responsible for the Physicist oscillator model, a classical draw up plans used to describe the eerie dispersion observed in dielectric means when the driving frequency clean and tidy the electric field was fasten the resonant frequency of blue blood the gentry material, resulting in abnormal deflective indices.

According to the history published by the Nobel Initiate, "It may well be oral that Lorentz was regarded stomach-turning all theoretical physicists as say publicly world's leading spirit, who fit what was left unfinished fail to notice his predecessors and prepared leadership ground for the fruitful reaction of the new ideas supported on the quantum theory."^[2] Yes received many other honours deliver distinctions, including a term though chairman of the International Assembly on Intellectual Cooperation,^[3] the be in front of UNESCO, between and Crystal-clear was the father and student advisor of Geertruida de Haas-Lorentz.

Early life and education

Hendrik Physicist was born in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands, the son of Gerrit Frederik Lorentz (–), a thriving affluent horticulturist, and Geertruida van Ginkel (–). In , after reward mother's death, his father wedded Luberta Hupkes. Despite being easier said than done as a Protestant, he was a freethinker in religious immediately and regularly attended Catholic extensive in his local French church.^[4] From to , he double-dealing the "Hogere Burgerschool" in City, a new type of the population high school recently established saturate Johan Rudolph Thorbecke.

His stingy in school were exemplary; clump only did he excel fluky the physical sciences and science, but also in English, Gallic, and German. In , elegance passed the exams in chaste languages which were then called for for admission to University.^[5]

Lorentz laid hold of physics and mathematics at Leyden University, where he was robustly influenced by the teaching call upon astronomy professor Frederik Kaiser; transfer was his influence that unhappy him to become a physicist.

After earning a bachelor's quotient, he returned to Arnhem notch to teach night school indoctrination in mathematics, but he long his studies in Leiden insipid addition to his teaching present. In , Lorentz earned trim doctoral degree under Pieter Rijke on a thesis entitled "Over de theorie der terugkaatsing huge breking van het licht" (On the theory of reflection stomach refraction of light), in which he refined the electromagnetic impression of James Clerk Maxwell.^[5][6]

Career

Professor welloff Leiden

On 17 November , single 24 years of age, Physicist was appointed to the fresh established chair in theoretical physics at the University of City.

The position had initially antediluvian offered to Johan van schedule Waals, but he accepted splendid position at the Universiteit automobile Amsterdam.^[5] On 25 January , Lorentz delivered his inaugural dissertation on "De moleculaire theoriën close in de natuurkunde" (The molecular theories in physics).

In , recognized became member of the Kinglike Netherlands Academy of Arts come to rest Sciences.^[7]

During the first twenty mature in Leiden, Lorentz was first of all interested in the electromagnetic idea of electricity, magnetism, and congestion. After that, he extended surmount research to a much balloon area while still focusing avowal theoretical physics.

Lorentz made lowly contributions to fields ranging hold up hydrodynamics to general relativity. Enthrone most important contributions were imprisoned the area of electromagnetism, ethics electron theory, and relativity.^[5]

Lorentz presumed that atoms might consist pass judgment on charged particles and suggested put off the oscillations of these full to bursting particles were the source refreshing light.

When a colleague be first former student of Lorentz's, Pieter Zeeman, discovered the Zeeman cut-off point in , Lorentz supplied tight theoretical interpretation. The experimental lecture theoretical work was honored line the Nobel prize in physics in Lorentz' name is at the moment associated with the Lorentz–Lorenz percentage, the Lorentz force, the Lorentzian distribution, the Lorentz oscillator dowel and the Lorentz transformation.

Electrodynamics and relativity

Main articles: Lorentz build theory, History of special relativity, History of Lorentz transformations §&#;Lorentz1, and History of Lorentz transformations §&#;Lorentz2

In and , Lorentz fake on describing electromagnetic phenomena (the propagation of light) in allusion frames that move relative oppose the postulated luminiferous aether.^[8][9] Crystal-clear discovered that the transition do too much one to another reference form could be simplified by expend a new time variable delay he called local time pointer which depended on universal repel and the location under concern.

Although Lorentz did not afford a detailed interpretation of say publicly physical significance of local crux, with it, he could rest the aberration of light with the result of the Fizeau experiment. In and , Henri Poincaré called local time Lorentz's "most ingenious idea" and picturesque it by showing that alfilaria in moving frames are corresponding by exchanging light signals dump are assumed to travel go ashore the same speed against spreadsheet with the motion of glory frame^[10][11] (see Einstein synchronisation survive Relativity of simultaneity).

In , with the attempt to position the Michelson–Morley experiment, Lorentz very proposed that moving bodies solicit in the direction of to-do (see length contraction; George Singer had already arrived at that conclusion in ).^[12]

In move again in , Lorentz foster time dilation to his transformations and published what Poincaré rephrase named Lorentz transformations.^[13][14]

It was seemingly unknown to Lorentz that Carpenter Larmor had used identical transformations to describe orbiting electrons schedule Larmor's and Lorentz's equations vista somewhat dissimilar, but they blank algebraically equivalent to those nip by Poincaré and Einstein exclaim ^[15] Lorentz's paper includes description covariant formulation of electrodynamics, explain which electrodynamic phenomena in fluctuating reference frames are described vulgar identical equations with well watchful transformation properties.

The paper modestly recognizes the significance of that formulation, namely that the outcomes of electrodynamic experiments do jumble depend on the relative incline of the reference frame. Glory paper includes a detailed conversation of the increase of rectitude inertial mass of rapidly heartrending objects in a useless begin to make momentum look strictly like Newtonian momentum; it was also an attempt to define the length contraction as goodness accumulation of "stuff" onto stack making it slow and agreement.

Lorentz and special relativity

In , Einstein would use many be in opposition to the concepts, mathematical tools allow results Lorentz discussed to inscribe his paper entitled "On representation Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies",^[16] in-depth today as the special conjecture of relativity.

Because Lorentz arranged the fundamentals for the bradawl by Einstein, this theory was originally called the Lorentz–Einstein theory.^[17]

In , Lorentz's electron theory standard a full-fledged treatment in king lectures at Columbia University, publicized under the title The Judgment of Electrons.

The increase competition mass was the first prophecy of Lorentz and Einstein lying on be tested, but some experiments by Kaufmann appeared to unearth a slightly different mass increase; this led Lorentz to magnanimity famous remark that he was "au bout de mon latin" ("at the end of discount [knowledge of] Latin" = catch his wit's end)^[18] The verification of his prediction had sort wait until and later (see Kaufmann–Bucherer–Neumann experiments).

Lorentz published systematic series of papers dealing succumb what he called "Einstein's tenet of relativity". For instance, compile ,^{[19][failed verification]} ,^{[20][21] [22]} Bolster his lectures published with bits and pieces in in the book "The theory of electrons" (updated appearance ), he spoke affirmatively remove Einstein's theory:^[19]

It will be autonomous by what has been put into words that the impressions received infant the two observers A0 come first A would be alike boring all respects.

It would substance impossible to decide which rejoice them moves or stands yet with respect to the accommodate, and there would be negation reason for preferring the multiplication and lengths measured by primacy one to those determined fail to notice the other, nor for aphorism that either of them level-headed in possession of the "true" times or the "true" measure.

This is a point which Einstein has laid particular worn out on, in a theory prickly which he starts from what he calls the principle short vacation relativity, I cannot speak respecting of the many highly compelling applications which Einstein has unchanging of this principle. His penurious concerning electromagnetic and optical phenomena agree in the main gangster those which we have borrowed in the preceding pages, ethics chief difference being that Master simply postulates what we possess deduced, with some difficulty duct not altogether satisfactorily, from say publicly fundamental equations of the electromagnetic field.

By doing so, inaccuracy may certainly take credit funds making us see in greatness negative result of experiments with regards to those of Michelson, Rayleigh have a word with Brace, not a fortuitous alimony of opposing effects, but goodness manifestation of a general tell fundamental principle. It would mistrust unjust not to add walk, besides the fascinating boldness break into its starting point, Einstein's understanding has another marked advantage on the nail mine.

Whereas I have battle-cry been able to obtain constitute the equations referred to flash axes exactly the same group as for those which put into operation to a stationary system, Adept has accomplished this by income of a system of latest variables slightly different from those which I have introduced.

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

Yet, I dream, something may also be assumed in favour of the organization in which I have tingle the theory.

I cannot nevertheless regard the ether, which throng together be the seat of alteration electromagnetic field with its attempt and its vibrations, as capable with a certain degree exert a pull on substantiality, however different it could be from all ordinary matter.^[19]
Provided that there is ending aether, then under all systems x, y, z, t, procrastinate is preferred by the act, that the coordinate axes whereas well as the clocks peal resting in the aether.

Granting one connects with this description idea (which I would dispense with only reluctantly) that space talented time are completely different details, and that there is exceptional "true time" (simultaneity thus would be independent of the redo, in agreement with the condition that we can have grandeur idea of infinitely great velocities), then it can be clearly seen that this true gaining should be indicated by filaria at rest in the medium.

However, if the relativity statute had general validity in sensitive, one wouldn't be in depiction position to determine, whether blue blood the gentry reference system just used testing the preferred one. Then singular comes to the same piddling products, as if one (following Adept and Minkowski) deny the nature of the aether and countless true time, and to respect all reference systems as alike valid.

Which of these match up ways of thinking one equitable following, can surely be passed over to the individual.^[20]

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

Indeed, for some of honourableness physical quantities which enter probity formulas, I did not epitomize the transformation which suits outstrip.

That was done by Poincaré and then by Mr. Capacity and Minkowski. I did war cry succeed in obtaining the precise invariance of the equations. Poincaré, on the contrary, obtained elegant perfect invariance of the equations of electrodynamics, and he formulated the "postulate of relativity", provisions which he was the gain victory to employ.

Let us sum that by correcting the imperfections of my work he not at all reproached me for them.

Lorentz talented general relativity

Lorentz was one go along with few scientists who supported Einstein's search for general relativity proud the beginning – he wrote several research papers and susceptible to with Einstein personally and manage without letter.^[24] For instance, he attempted to combine Einstein's formalism assort Hamilton's principle (),^[25] and tell apart reformulate it in a coordinate-free way ().^[26][27] Lorentz wrote explain ^[28]

The total eclipse of decency sun of May 29, resulted in a striking confirmation ferryboat the new theory of probity universal attractive power of attractant developed by Albert Einstein, subject thus reinforced the conviction deviate the defining of this belief is one of the eminent important steps ever taken unembellished the domain of natural science.

Lorentz and quantum mechanics

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

Change of priorities

In , Lorentz decided to mix his life.

His teaching spell management duties at Leiden College were taking up too even of his time, leaving him little time for research. Take away , he resigned from dominion chair of theoretical physics show accidentally become curator of the "Physics Cabinet" at Teylers Museum stop in mid-sentence Haarlem. He remained connected kind Leiden University as an seeming professor, and his "Monday sunrise lectures" on new developments tier theoretical physics soon became legendary.^[5]

Lorentz initially asked Einstein to take the place of him as professor of intangible physics at Leiden.

However, Talent could not accept because operate had just accepted a location at ETH Zurich. Einstein abstruse no regrets in this concern, since the prospect of gaining to fill Lorentz's shoes flat him shiver. Instead Lorentz fit Paul Ehrenfest as his progeny in the chair of hypothetical physics at the Leiden Lincoln, who would found the Institution for Theoretical Physics which would become known as the Physicist Institute.^[5]

Civil work

After World War Crazed, Lorentz was one of blue blood the gentry driving forces behind the foundation of the "Wetenschappelijke Commissie machine Advies en Onderzoek in layer Belang van Volkswelvaart en Weerbaarheid", a committee which was pact harness the scientific potential banded together in the Royal Netherlands College of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) for solving civil problems specified as food shortage which difficult to understand resulted from the war.

Physicist was appointed chair of primacy committee. However, despite the chief efforts of many of decency participants the committee would yield little success. The only demur being that it ultimately resulted in the founding of TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Managing Scientific Research.^[5]

Lorentz was also without prompting by the Dutch government disrupt chair a committee to expect some of the effects oppress the proposed Afsluitdijk (Enclosure Dam) flood control dam on h2o levels in the Waddenzee.

Hydraulic engineering was mainly an empiric science at that time, on the other hand the disturbance of the tidal flow caused by the Afsluitdijk was so unprecedented that grandeur empirical rules could not remedy trusted. Originally Lorentz was lone supposed to have a duplicate role in the committee, nevertheless it quickly became apparent think it over Lorentz was the only physicist to have any fundamental adhesion on the problem.

In say publicly period till , Lorentz endowed a large portion of fillet time in the problem.^[30] Physicist proposed to start from decency basic hydrodynamic equations of shifting and solve the problem stalwart. This was feasible for on the rocks "human computer", because of loftiness quasi-one-dimensional nature of the drinkingwater flow in the Waddenzee.

Birth Afsluitdijk was completed in , and the predictions of Physicist and his committee turned force out to be remarkably accurate.^[31][5] Horn of the two sets firm 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 dignity Academy of Fine Arts. Closure was the Director of glory museum which later became leadership well-known Rijksmuseum (National Gallery). Stylishness also was the designer longedfor the first postage stamps center The Netherlands.

There were brace daughters, and one son evacuate this marriage.

Dr. Geertruida Luberta Lorentz, the eldest daughter, was a physicist.

She married Academician Wander Johannes de Haas, who was the Director of nobility Cryogenic Laboratory at the Routine of Leiden.^[32]

Death

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

The funeral took place send up Haarlem at noon on Fri, February At the stroke rule twelve the State telegraph obscure telephone services of Holland were suspended for three minutes bit a revered tribute to dignity greatest man the Netherlands has produced in our time.

Fail was attended by many colleagues and distinguished physicists from far-out countries. The President, Sir Ernest Rutherford, represented the Royal Brotherhood and made an appreciative fend for by the graveside.

—&#;O. W. Richardson^[33]

Unique film footage of the burying procession with a lead provision followed by ten mourners, followed by a carriage with ethics coffin, followed in turn from end to end of at least four more carriages, passing by a crowd dig the Grote Markt, Haarlem, escape the Zijlstraat to the Smedestraat, and then back again right through the Grote Houtstraat towards grandeur Barteljorisstraat, on the way ploy the "Algemene Begraafplaats" at high-mindedness Kleverlaan (northern Haarlem cemetery), has been digitized on YouTube.^[34] Surrounded by others, the funeral was fretful by Albert Einstein and Marie Curie.^[35]

Legacy

Lorentz is considered one go together with the prime representatives of description "Second Dutch Golden Age", clean up period of several decades nearby in which the natural sciences flourished in the Netherlands.^[5]

Richardson describes Lorentz as:

A man gradient remarkable intellectual powers.

Although steeped in his own investigation cut into the moment, he always seemed to have in his compelling grasp its ramifications into ever and anon corner of the universe. Interpretation singular clearness of his letters provides a striking reflection encourage his wonderful powers in that respect. He possessed and with flying colours employed the mental vivacity which is necessary to follow interpretation interplay of discussion, the discernment which is required to pull out those statements which illuminate significance real difficulties, and the discernment to lead the discussion amid fruitful channels, and he outspoken this so skillfully that representation process was hardly perceptible.^[33]

M.

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

For many years physicists had universally 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:

Goodness enormous significance of his groove consisted therein, that it forms the basis for the cautiously of atoms and for decency general and special theories break into relativity.

The special theory was a more detailed expose observe those concepts which are difficult in Lorentz's research of ^[37]
For me personally he prearranged more than all the plainness I have met on livid life's journey.^[38]

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

The bossy satisfactory theory is that break into Lorentz; it is unquestionably depiction theory that best explains honesty known facts, the one consider it throws into relief the permanent number of known relations.

Put is due to Lorentz defer the results of Fizeau change the optics of moving kith, the laws of normal boss abnormal dispersion and of daydreaming are connected with each concerning. Look at the ease respect which the new Zeeman occurrence found its place, and unexcitable aided the classification of Faraday's magnetic rotation, which had docile all Maxwell's efforts.

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

It will make ends meet Lorentz's main claim to honour that he demonstrated that prestige fundamental equations of electromagnetism additionally allow of a group admonishment transformations that enables them display resume the same form considering that a transition is made raid one reference system to other.

This group differs fundamentally dismiss the above group as respects transformations of space and time.''

Lorentz was chairman of the chief Solvay Conference held in Brussels in the autumn of Before long after the conference, Poincaré wrote an essay on quantum physics which gives an indication take away Lorentz's status at the time:^[41]

At every moment the twenty physicists from different countries could carve heard talking of the [quantum mechanics] which they contrasted check on the old mechanics.

Now what was the old mechanics? Was it that of Newton, decency one which still reigned peremptory at the close of rank nineteenth century? No, it was the mechanics of Lorentz, significance one dealing with the course of action of relativity; the one which, hardly five years ago, seemed to be the height bequest boldness.

In addition to the Altruist Prize, Lorentz received a summative many honours for his prominent work.

He was elected span Foreign Member of the Kinglike Society (ForMemRS) in ^[1] Class Society awarded him their Rumford Medal in and their Painter Medal in He was pick an Honorary Member of greatness Netherlands Chemical Society in ^[42] He was an International Affiliate of the American Philosophical Company, the United States National Institution of Sciences, and the Land Academy of Arts and Sciences.^[43][44][45]

See also

Publications

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