20 th Century Mindset - Physics

1. 20th Century Mindset - Physics Kagan Ch. 24

2. theory of relativity = time and space exist together in a combined continuum scientific theories should be considered hypothetical What are they talking about? science = “as if” descriptions discovered uranium • Ernst Mach, The Science of Mechanics, 1883 • Henri Poincare • Hans Vaihinger, 1911 • Wilhelm Roentgen, Dec. 1895 • Henri Becquerel, 1896 • Marie Curie, 1911 • J. J. Thompson • Ernest Rutherford, 1902 • Max Planck, 1900 • Albert Einstein, 1905 • Werner Heisenberg, 1927 uncertainty principle – pattern of electron can’t be predetermined quantum theory of energy realizes the immense potential of energy created through the breakdown of radioactive elements developed the theory of the electron X-ray = energy can penetrate seemingly solid objects discovered radium science = a description of the scientist’s perceptions

3. New Physics • Newtonian Physics – back in the good ol’ days • Universe = machine in which time, space and matter were objective realities • Thermodynamics • Marie & Pierre Curie; Henri Becquerel; J.J. Thompson – atoms radiate own energy – electron & protons = atom • Max Planck – quantum theory = questions subatomic realm of atom: Is atom the building block of the material world? • Albert Einstein “The Electro-Dynamics of Moving Bodies”, 1905 = relativity theory (E=mc2) time and space are relative to the observer and matter is just another form of energy • Universe = uncertainty (Heisenberg, 1927) • Not as ordered as we thought • Contains other forces at work that were previously unknown • Often defies reason in its complexity