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The early years (1838-1860)
Ernst Mach was born February 18, 1838 in Chirlitz-Turas, Moravia, Austrian Empire, now known as Brno-Chrlice, Czech Republic. Until the age of 14, he was homeschooled by his parents. Father Johann Mach who was a graduate of Prague University and worked as a tutor. Mother Josephine Lanhaus who was a lover of poetry and music. He then attended Gymnasium before enrolling in the University of Vienna where he studied Physics, Mathematics, and Philosophy. He earned his Doctorate in Physics in 1860. -
First important scientific contribution
This is when the Doppler Theory was first discovered by Christian Doppler. Mach's contribution to this theory was a simple set up to show that the Doppler effect was in fact true. It was a six foot tube with a whistle mounted on the end which would rotate on a verticle plane. While standing in the plane of rotation you were able to hear changes in pitch as the speed changed but when outside of the plane no changes could be heard. -
His own experiments
While working at Graz, first in mathematics and then in physics, he was able to focus on his own experiments. One of the main things he discovered in his time there was the physiological optical illusion. This would eventually be known as Mach Bands. These bands are used in dental radiology to detect decay and metal fillings and also used in computer graphics. -
The supersonic details
Mach had worked out supersonic motion. This included the development of Mach numbers. Websters dictionary defines mach numbers as the ratio of the speed of a body to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium. Dividing object speed by the speed of sound. It is broken up into categories of subsonic, transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic. He was able to photograph the shadows of the shock waves from bullets traveling at great speeds. Mach Numbers -
Principle works in English
The Science of Mechanics. (1883)
The Analysis of Sensations. (1897)
Popular Scientific Lectures (1895)
Space and Geometry from the Point of View of Physical Inquiry. (1903)
History and Root of the Principle of the Conservation of Energy (1911)
The Principles of Physical Optics (1926)
Knowledge and Error (1976)
Principles of the Theory of Heat (1986)
Fundamentals of the Theory of Movement Perception (2001)