Ernst Mach (Feb 18, 1838 - 1916)

  • The Doppler Effect

    Though Mach didn't actuallly discover the doppler effect. The credit does go to Christian Doppler, hence why it's named "the doppler effect". However, he did create a device that proved the Doppler effect was real to show those who challenged Doppler's theory. Such as Petzval and Ångström. (Pojman P., 2019) Pojman, Paul, "Ernst Mach", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2019 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2019/entries/ernst-mach/
  • Mach Bands

    Ernst Mach first noted the effects of how sensitive the retinas can be, and how the eyes pre-process information before the brain can receive and analyze it. Prior to this optical allusions were just know to be errors with the brain. Everything changed after Mach's discovery. (Projam P., 2019) Pojman, Paul, "Ernst Mach", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2019 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2019/entries/ernst-mach/
  • Life in Physics

    In 1886 Mach switched to teaching physics. A year later he traveled to Prague to be a professor of physics and stayed there for 28 years. His contributions to physics were so valuable, Einstein credited Mach for his philosophical views on physics which helped Einstein on his theory of relativity.(Pojman P., 2019) Pojman, Paul, "Ernst Mach", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2019 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2019/entries/ernst-mach/
  • Mach Numbers

    In the second half of the 1800s new military technology had been created and new discoveries along with them. Thus leading Mach to research supersonic motions often referred to as a "Mach Number". Mach numbers are often associated with fighter jets. (Projam P, 2019) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlaGxYjnoPY Pojman, Paul, "Ernst Mach", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2019 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2019/entries/ernst-mach/