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Ernst Mach
Ernst Mach was a Austrian physicist and philosopher who is most famously known for his work on optics, mechanics, and wave dynamics. In his physics work the speed of sound bears his name thanks to him being the first to study super-sonic motion. His analysis of Newtonian theories of space and time were the inspiration a young Einstein credited in his relativity theory. Mach is best known in the philosophy world for his influence for the Vienna Circle. -
Doppler Effect
One of Mach’s earliest works include developing an apparatus helping prove Christian Doppler’s “Doppler Effect” proving that a “change in pitch varied, only with the direction and speed of the sound source, given a stationary listener.” -
Mach Bands
Mach bands are an optical illusion that describe lateral inhibition, or the process light is collected by retinal cells within the eye affected by the collection of light within neighboring cells. This in nature helps us identify edges of objects. Mach bands in the scientific community help scientists study the process in which the eye and brain process visual information. -
Philosophical Contributions
Mach’s philosophical contributions was most notably his influence on the Vienna Circle. His metaphysical attitude developed his verifiability theory of meaning. He also took a strong stance against atomism as an anti-realist. Mach was known as the bridge between science and philosophy and be credited with being the founder of philosophy of science. -
Mach's Principle
Mach’s principle stated that inertia results from a relationship of an object with the rest of the universe’s matter. Albert Einstein would use this hypothesis to help his creation of his general relativity theory until abandoning this principle when realizing inertia is implicit regarding the equation of motion not dependent on universe’s matter.
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Mach's Physics Contributions
Mach’s work in the field of physics focused on interference, polarization, diffraction and refraction of light under different influences. This led to his explorations in supersonic velocity. He would be known as correctly describing effects in sound during a projectiles supersonic motion. Mach would confirm the shock wave created and its cone shape during the apex. It was this work that created the speed of the projectile’s ratio to the speed of sound being called a Mach number. -
Death and Contributions
Mach would retire from the University of Vienna in 1901 and was appointed to the upper chamber or Austrian parliament. He would move in with his son in 1913 where he would continue writing till his death in 1916. Some of his works include The Science of Mechanics (1883), Popular Scientific Lectures (1895), The Analysis of Sensations (1897), Space and Geometry from the Point of View of Physical Inquiry (1903), Knowledge and Error (1976), and Principles of the Theory of Heat (1986).
