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The Theory of General Relativity
Albert Einstein developed the theory of general relativity in 1915. The approach is part of the two approaches developed by Einstein explaining relativity. Einstein’s discovery of the approach is crucial in understanding how time and space function. This theory is of great importance in the field of Physics because it helps in the prediction of gravitational interactions. Einstein produced Mathematical equations that have been tested over the years, leading to the development of a better explanation for the functioning and movement of objects. Through this discovery, Sir. Isaac Newton’s discovery was replaced. In this theory, Einstein argues that both time and Space are components of the spacetime. The approach again shows the links between the various forces that give rise to the factor of spacetime. Spacetime, according to Einstein, appears to be a curve when under the influence of matter, momentum, energy, and gravity.
Marcel Grossman, was an Austria-Hungarian Mathematician, who played a crucial role in establishing the Theory of General Relativity. Being a classmate and good friend of Einstein, he helped him acquire different skills needed for the development of the theory (Ishak 1). Einstein, in his work, was supported by various scientists, whose works play a crucial role in modern Physics. In 1912, Einstein was introduced to the Tensor Analysis, a concept that had been developed by three scientists; Gregorio Ricci, Tullio Levi, and Bernhard Riemann. Marcel Grossman, played a crucial role in this development because, if Einstein didn’t know the tensor analysis, he would not have the capacity to develop mathematical equations. Grossman, a great Mathematician, also played a crucial role in teaching Einstein Mathematical concepts that would later help him in his calculations (Einstein 34). Being a Physicist, Einstein needed to learn how to present his Physics knowledge in Mathematical form, and his friend played a crucial role in helping him.
Emmy Noether was a German Mathematician whose works are reflected in the algebraic formats used today. Born in March 1882, she incorporated Mathematical work into Physics and helped in the establishment of a reasonable basis for Einstein’s theory. During a period when females were considered less equipped to perform practical and scientific chores, Noether helped Einstein achieve his work by lending him her knowledge. Without Noether and Einstein’s concept would not be in existence today, because the theory revolves around Mathematical equations, that he could not develop without the knowledge impacted by these two great Mathematicians.
Before he developed this theory, Einstein had studied previous ideas and technologies developed by other scientists. For instance, he applied Newton’s gravitational theory to establish the theory. Before this development, Einstein had developed a particular theory in 1905 that worked closely with Quantum Mechanics. These two earlier developments were the center of his new development (French 13). In the particular theory, Einstein correlated and developed a relationship between objects moving in a state of uniform motion by use of mechanical properties. This theory explained the reason behind the high speed of light. In quantum mechanics, Scientists described the behavior of light and matter on subatomic and atomic scales. By basing his research and developments on these two earlier developments, Einstein was able to achieve the theory of general relativity.
Einstein found a way to critic these theories, whereby he used the weaknesses and strengths of these developments to establish a new approach, which explained what the earlier ideas did not incorporate. For instance, Newton’s laws were successful in explanation and the prediction of the movements of planets around the orbit. Mercury exhibited a different behavior compared to the other planets. Newton’s equations could not give an account of the discrepancy witnessed in Mercury. First, considering all the effects expected in the earth, Newton’s equations predicted that there would be a discrepancy that amounted to 43 seconds per century. However, by borrowing the ideas developed in Newton’s ideas, Einstein established that Newton’s assumption that planets in the curved spacetime orbited in an elliptical manner. He established that due to the curvature in orbit, the planets recorded precession movement rather than the elliptical motion predicted by Newton.
In his investigation of Gunnar Nordstrom’s theory of gravity, in 1907, Einstein established that Nordstrom had put huge approximation into his work, whereby he predicted a more significant deflection of light, contrary to what Einstein found in his estimation. However, in his new theory, he needed to use the deflection figures agreed upon by other scientists. So he used Nordstrom’s figures, which he later changed after the completion of his development.
When Einstein’s theory was developed in 1915, the development was encouraged by the previous developments by other scientists. For instance, during this time, the Riemannian geometry had been developed, and this concept was crucial for his new study. The Riemannian geometry explained movement within a curved surface, and that surface area, length of curves, angles, and volume were all integrals of the inner product of the Space.
Before
Even in his initial development of the particular theory, Einstein had started attracting the attention of world Physicists. However, before his development, Einstein was not a renowned personality in the world. During his attempt to develop the theory, he faced numerous reactions from both the public and other scientists. The public, for instance, did was not more aware of his actions, and for this reason, they did not offer him much opposing. His native Roman church opposed him, arguing that he showed suspicion to the order of church and the idea of God’s creation. This criticism was made because before starting his works on this theory, and Einstein was on the verge of becoming a cleric in the church.
Einstein also got resistance from other Physicists who disagreed with his arguments. For instance, after working with a German Mathematician, Hilbert Einstein, was accused of plagiarism because Hilbert made a publication before he could publish his work (Maccone, 1394). This was a massive setback for him because the world would perceive his work as copied. Before his emergence, several other Scientists were famously recognized and famous for their roles in the development of the world of Science and Physics in particular. Galileo Galilei, for instance, in his laws of motion and planetary motion, showed how bodies moved freely in the world. The most iconic figure before the emergence of Einstein is arguably Sir Isaac Newton, from whom Einstein developed his ideas (Harff, 2). Before the development of the theory of general relativity, the world of science depended on Sir Isaac Newton’s theories. Physics was founded on his theories, and all Scientists around the world acknowledged his role and contribution to its development
After
For Physicists, Einstein’s theory of general relativity has a significant impact on the world’s understanding and perception of the Space and all Physics-related concepts. After the development of this theory, Einstein became a new world hero for Physicists who saw his new approach as a new way of solving life issues (Abbott 55). His theory completely changed the world’s understanding of motion and the Space. His works has been used in new developments with war machinery and other technological developments borrowing heavily from his development. Einstein surpassed all the other Physicists, and today, he is more famous than all these earlier scientists.
Cultural Context
Numerous events were happening during the development of this theory. In the field of Physics, the world needed weapons made of better technology for the war that had just broken out. Physicists were in the pursuit of a better explanation of the relationship and the interaction between matter and the atomic nature. In his development, Einstein explained the interaction between massive objects, which was a solution to the concepts that Physicists were investigating. When the World war broke out, Einstein was living in Berlin. Again, in 1911, the titanic ship had just sunk as a result of a collision with a sea iceberg. For Physicists and other scientists, there was the urge to develop bodies that could sustain more weight. The Physicists needed to create bodies that could withstand significant impacts and stresses. Finally, the Jones Act regulated the shipping of products via the US territory without the use of American built ships. For Puerto Ricans, this Act affected them negatively because they could hardly import products.
Illustrations of the Nature of Science
This discovery reflects the key ideas in the concept of the nature of science. In science, ideas are developed and taken through various stages before being accepted as new development. First, a person observes the existing nature and thinks about the current ideas. In this discovery, Einstein used Newton’s ideas as the basis for his observation, after which he thought about the developments. The next phase involves experimenting to know the accuracy and the closeness of your ideas to the true nature (Moss 23). In this discovery, Einstein conducted various experiments like the observation of light and Space patterns. Through these experiments he was able to ascertain his idea. Finally, an idea has to be validated through calculations or sequences of equations (Stearns 24). In Einstein’s development of the theory, the validation was done through calculations done using Mathematical knowledge acquired from his friend, Grossman.
Timeline
The Discovery
1638: Galilo’s Tower of Pisa experiment; Objects fall at a constant rate due to gravity
1687: Newton publishes Principia Mathematica
1905: Einstein publishes his Theory of Special Relativity
1912: Sinking of the RMS Titanic
1914: Start of the Great War
1915: Karl Schwarz child provides 1st exact solution to Einstein’s field equations
1916: Einstein publishes his Theory of General Relativity
1918: Armistice signed. End of WWI
1919: Arthur Eddington confirmed Einstein’s deflection of starlight by gravity
1921: Einstein wins Noble Prize in Physics
Scientific Context
Biology
1603: Galileo Galilei makes a microscope used in the study of micro-organisms
1669: Algemeene Verhandling discovers the structure of insects.
1672: Nehemiah Grew establishes anatomical study whereby he focused on plants.
1675: Algemeene Verhandling develops the theory of mental disturbance.
1839: Charles Goodyear discovers rubber vulcanization.
1900: Paul Uhlenuth discovers precipitin.
1913: Shiro Tashiro discovers the effect of Carbon dioxide.
The Cultural Context
Politics
1889-1902: American-Philippine war.
1900-1901: Kuwait War
1901: British forms the Commonwealth of Australia.
1905: Russian Revolution
1907: Kurdish uprising in Turkey.
World History
1901: Queen Victoria dies.
1901: Commonwealth of Australia was formed.
1904: Russo-Japanese War
1905: The special Theory is developed by Einstein.
1914: First World War breaks out.
Works Cited
Abbott, Benjamin P., et al. “Tests of general relativity with GW150914.” arXiv preprint arXiv:1602.03841 (2016): 55
Einstein, Albert. Relativity: The Special and the General Theory-100th Anniversary Edition. Princeton University Press, 2019: 34
French, Anthony Philip. Special relativity. CRC Press, 2017: 13
Ishak, Mustapha. “Testing general relativity in cosmology.” Living Reviews in Relativity 22.1 (2019): 1.
Harff, Barbara. Ethnic conflict in world politics. Routledge, 2018: 2-5
Maccone, Lorenzo. “A fundamental problem in quantizing general relativity.” Foundations of Physics 49.12 (2019): 1394-1403.
Moss, Steven Michael. Discoveries in Human Biology Through Kinase Signaling. Diss. UCSF, 2019: 23
Stearns, Peter N. Globalization in world history. Routledge, 2016: 24