5
votes
1answer
119 views

The notion called aether

I am trying to learn relativity theory and going through an introductory text on special relativity. I stumbled on the Michelson-Morley experiment. The book claims (accounts) that the result of this ...
12
votes
5answers
858 views

Why did Einstein get credit for formulating the theory of special relativity?

See "The Principle of Relativity" here: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Principles_of_Mathematical_Physics This was written by Poincare in 1904, a year before Einstein published his theory of ...
-1
votes
2answers
211 views

What were the intention/conclusions for Michelson-Morley experiment?

Which of the following were the intentions of M&M? to disprove the existence of aether. to show that the aether has no effect on matter and energy and therefore is as good as non-existent. ...
4
votes
1answer
289 views

Lorentz force law in Newtonian relativity

I know that in special relativity Electric and Magnetic fields mix together in different reference frames, but my question is about classical mechanics. It seems weird to me is that the Lorentz Force ...
3
votes
1answer
167 views

Is General Relativity applicable for all coordinate systems?

My understanding was that relativistic physics can be expressed in any inertial coordinate system, but not arbitrary systems. That is, no experiment can determine if we are "still" or "moving" at a ...
2
votes
6answers
2k views

Did Einstein prove $E=mc^2$ correctly?

In his book "Einstein's mistakes" H. C. Ohanian, the author, holds that Einstein delivered 7 proofs for $E=mc^2$ in his life that all were in some way incorrect. This despite the fact that correct ...