Who was Ernst Mach? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 78

Physicists Austrian Men

Died on: February 19, 1916

place of death: Munich

City: Brno, Czechia

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education: University of Vienna

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1

What is the Mach number and why is it named after Ernst Mach?

The Mach number is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the medium through which the object is moving. It is named after Ernst Mach because of his pioneering work in understanding supersonic fluid flow and his contributions to the study of high-speed motion.
2

What is the significance of Mach's principle in physics?

Mach's principle is the idea that the inertia of an object is determined by the distribution of matter in the universe. It suggests that the motion of an object is influenced by the presence of all other matter in the universe. While controversial, Mach's principle has had a significant impact on the development of modern theoretical physics.
3

How did Ernst Mach contribute to the philosophy of science?

Ernst Mach made significant contributions to the philosophy of science by advocating for a positivist approach that emphasized empirical observation and the importance of experimental evidence in scientific inquiry. His ideas helped shape the logical positivist movement in the early 20th century.
4

How did Ernst Mach influence the field of aeronautics and aviation?

Ernst Mach's research on supersonic fluid flow and high-speed motion had a significant impact on the development of aeronautics and aviation. His work laid the foundation for the understanding of shock waves, sonic booms, and the behavior of objects at high speeds, which are crucial concepts in modern aircraft design and engineering.

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Childhood & Early Life

Ernst Mach was born to Johann Mach and Josephine Lanhaus, as the oldest among their three children. He was born on February 18, 1838, in Chirlitz-Turas, Moravia (now Brno, Czech Republic).

His family moved to a farmhouse close to Vienna when he was two, where he continued receiving his education till the time he was fourteen. His father’s excellent education and mother’s artistic nature shaped his knowledge with both philosophical and scientific inclinations.

After his education at home, he entered school at a Gymnasium in Kroměříž where he studied for the next three years. In 1855, he enrolled as a student in the ‘University of Vienna’ and studied physics and also medical physiology for a year.

In 1860, he presented his thesis on electrical charge and induction, which earned him a doctorate in physics. He also received his Habilitation the following year.

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Austrian Physicists

Career

From 1860-1862, Mach worked for his mentor Andreas von Ettinghausen, as a Privatdozent in the latter’s laboratory. There, he spent years conducting experiments on optics and acoustics and also embarked on a detailed study of the Doppler Effect.

He continued teaching at the ‘University of Vienna’ and the lion’s share of his earnings came from giving sought-after lectures on psychophysics, optics and musical acoustics.

In 1864, he took an appointment as the professor of mathematics at ‘Graz University’. After two years, he was also appointed as a professor of physics.

He left Graz in 1867, and became a professor for experimental physics at ‘Karls-Universität’ (Charles University) in Prague, where he lived for almost the next three decades. In Prague, he conducted research on retinal stimuli, auditory perception, wave motion and also studied the propagation of sound waves with the use of photographic devices, which gave the terms ‘Mach Number’ and ‘Mach Angle’.

He deduced and experimentally confirmed the existence of shock waves which appear in the form of a cone with the projectile at the tip.

His work ‘on the effect of spatial distribution of the light stimulus on the retina’, led to discoveries which are now known as ‘Mach Bands’.

During his tenure in Prague, the renowned physicist opposed the segregation of Czech and German faculty. Still, the segregation occurred and he was appointed as the head of the German division of the University.

In 1895, he was invited to Vienna where he chaired the newly established department of the theory of inductive science. He published ‘Prinzipien der Wärmelehre’ (‘The Principle of Thermodynamics’) a year later.

During his tenure as Dean of Philosophy in Vienna, he suffered a stroke in 1898, which paralysed the right half of his body. Three years later, he announced his retirement and abstained himself from being involved in further research.

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However he did not let his poor health hinder his lectures, and in 1905, published ‘Erkenntnis und Irrtum’ (‘Knowledge and Error’), and five years later, his autobiography.

Major Works

One of the best known ideas put forward by the revolutionary physicist, is known as ‘Mach’s Principle’ which dealt with the physical origins of inertia, but he never wrote it down. It was conveyed in a verbal graphic form, which was credited to Mach by Philipp Frank.

His most important work is said to be the ‘The Science of Mechanics: A Critical and Historical Account of Its Development’, which has shaped the minds of several upcoming scientists over the course of time. Albert Einstein mentioned Mach’s influence on him to be the reason he changed his outlook towards physics.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1867, Ernst Mach married Ludovica Marussig in Graz. They later on had five children - four sons and one daughter.

His son Ludwig Mach was one of his closest collaborators, assisting him in experiments he conducted during his tenure in Prague. Mach and Ludwig were able to photograph the shadows of the invisible shock waves.

After suffering from a paralysing stroke, the physicist moved near Munich, to Vaterstetten, to be close to his son Ludwig. Mach died on February 19th of 1916 due to heart disease and was buried at the cemetery of Haar.

The ‘Ernst Mach Grants’ named after him, is financed by the ‘Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy’ to encourage foreign researchers to pursue academics in Austria.

He is credited as the founding father of the field of Philosophy of Science.

Facts About Ernst Mach

Ernst Mach was not only a physicist and philosopher, but he also had a keen interest in psychology and physiology, contributing to a wide range of fields during his career.

Mach was known for his unconventional teaching methods, often using thought experiments and practical demonstrations to engage his students and challenge traditional learning approaches.

Despite his groundbreaking work in the field of mechanics and the Mach number named after him, he also had a playful side, enjoying puzzles and intellectual games in his free time.

Mach had a unique perspective on the concept of time, proposing theories that challenged traditional notions and influenced future developments in the philosophy of science.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Mach was an avid photographer and had a passion for capturing images of everyday life and scientific phenomena, showcasing his creative side beyond his scholarly work.

Ernst Mach Biography

You wanted to know

What is the Mach number and why is it named after Ernst Mach?

What is the significance of Mach's principle in physics?

How did Ernst Mach contribute to the philosophy of science?

How did Ernst Mach influence the field of aeronautics and aviation?