The Meaning of Relativity / Four lectures delivered at Princeton University, May, 1921
Date: 2011-05-29T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Relativity (Physics)

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Title: The Meaning of Relativity

Author: Albert Einstein

Translator: Edwin P. Adams

Release date: May 29, 2011 [eBook #36276]
Most recently updated: June 4, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Andrew D. Hwang, updated for HTML+SVG by Laura Natal Rodrigues

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MEANING OF RELATIVITY ***

THE MEANING OF
RELATIVITY

FOUR LECTURES DELIVERED AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, MAY, 1921

BY

ALBERT EINSTEIN

WITH FOUR DIAGRAMS

PRINCETON
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
1923

Copyright 1922 Princeton University Press Published 1922

NOTE.—The translation of these lectures into English was made by EDWIN PLIMPTON ADAMS, Professor of Physics in Princeton University

CONTENTS

LECTURE I
SPACE AND TIME IN PRE-RELATIVITY PHYSICS
LECTURE II
THE THEORY OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY
LECTURE III
THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
LECTURE IV
THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY (continued)
INDEX

THE MEANING OF RELATIVITY

LECTURE I

SPACE AND TIME IN PRE-RELATIVITY PHYSICS

THE theory of relativity is intimately connected with the theory of space and time. I shall therefore begin with a brief investigation of the origin of our ideas of space and time, although in doing so I know that I introduce a controversial subject. The object of all science, whether natural science or psychology, is to co-ordinate our experiences and to bring them into a logical system. How are our customary ideas of space and time related to the character of our experiences?

The experiences of an individual appear to us arranged in a series of events; in this series the single events which we remember appear to be ordered according to the criterion of "earlier" and "later," which cannot be analysed further. There exists, therefore, for the individual, an I-time, or subjective time. This in itself is not measurable. I can, indeed, associate numbers with the events, in such a way that a greater number is associated with the later event than with an earlier one; but the nature of this association may be quite arbitrary. This association I can define by means of a clock by comparing the order of events furnished by the clock with the order of the given series of events. We understand by a clock something which provides a series of events which can be counted, and which has other properties of which we shall speak later.

By the aid of speech different individuals can, to a certain extent, compare their experiences. In this way it is shown that certain sense perceptions of different individuals correspond to each other, while for other sense perceptions no such correspondence can be established. We are accustomed to regard as real those sense perceptions which are common to different individuals, and which therefore are, in a measure, impersonal. The natural sciences, and in particular, the most fundamental of them, physics, deal with such sense perceptions. The conception of physical bodies, in particular of rigid bodies, is a relatively constant complex of such sense perceptions. A clock is also a body, or a system, in the same sense, with the additional property that the series of events which it counts is formed of elements all of which can be regarded as equal.

The only justification for our concepts and system of concepts is that they serve to represent the complex of our experiences; beyond this they have no legitimacy. I am convinced that the philosophers have had a harmful effect upon the progress of scientific thinking in removing certain fundamental concepts from the domain of empiricism, where they are under our control, to the intangible heights of the a priori. For even if it should appear that the universe of ideas cannot be deduced from experience by logical means, but is, in a sense, a creation of the human mind, without which no science is possible, nevertheless this universe of ideas is just as little independent of the nature of our experiences as clothes are of the form of the human body. This is particularly true of our concepts of time and space, which physicists have been obliged by the facts to bring down from the Olympus of the a priori in order to adjust them and put them in a serviceable condition.

We now come to our concepts and judgments of space. It is essential here also to pay strict attention to the relation of experience to our concepts. It seems to me that Poincaré clearly recognized the truth in the account he gave in his book, "La Science et l'Hypothèse." Among all the changes which we can perceive in a rigid body those are marked by their simplicity which can be made reversibly by an arbitrary motion of the body; Poincaré calls these, changes in position. By means of simple changes in position we can bring two bodies into contact. The theorems of congruence, fundamental in geometry, have to do with the laws that govern such changes in position. For the concept of space the following seems essential. We can form new bodies by bringing bodies , , ... up to body ; we say that we continue body . We can continue body in such a way that it comes into contact with any other body, . The ensemble of all continuations of body we can designate as the "space of the body ." Then it is true that all bodies are in the "space of the (arbitrarily chosen) body ." In this sense we cannot speak of space in the abstract, but only of the "space belonging to a body ." The earth's crust plays such a dominant rôle in our daily life in judging the relative positions of bodies that it has led to an abstract conception of space which certainly cannot be defended. In order to free ourselves from this fatal error we shall speak only of "bodies of reference," or "space of reference." It was only through the theory of general relativity that refinement of these concepts became necessary, as we shall see later.

I shall not go into detail concerning those properties of the space of reference which lead to our conceiving points as elements of space, and space as a continuum. Nor shall I attempt to analyse further the properties of space which justify the conception of continuous series of points, or lines. If these concepts are assumed, together with their relation to the solid bodies of experience, then it is easy to say what we mean by the three-dimensionality of space; to each point three numbers, , , (co-ordinates), may be associated, in such a way that this association is uniquely reciprocal, and that , and vary continuously when the point describes a continuous series of points (a line).

It is assumed in pre-relativity physics that the laws of the orientation of ideal rigid bodies are consistent with Euclidean geometry. What this means may be expressed as follows: Two points marked on a rigid body form an interval. Such an interval can be oriented at rest, relatively to our space of reference, in a multiplicity of ways. If, now, the points of this space can be referred to co-ordinates , , , in such a way that the differences of the co-ordinates, , , , of the two ends of the interval furnish the same sum of squares, for every orientation of the interval, then the space of reference is called Euclidean, and the co-ordinates Cartesian.[1] It is sufficient, indeed, to make this assumption in the limit for an infinitely small interval. Involved in this assumption there are some which are rather less special, to which we must call attention on account of their fundamental significance. In the first place, it is assumed that one can move an ideal rigid body in an arbitrary manner. In the second place, it is assumed that the behaviour of ideal rigid bodies towards orientation is independent of the material of the bodies and their changes of position, in the sense that if two intervals can once be brought into coincidence, they can always and everywhere be brought into coincidence. Both of these assumptions, which are of fundamental importance for geometry and especially for physical measurements, naturally arise from experience; in the theory of general relativity their validity needs to be assumed only for bodies and spaces of reference which are infinitely small compared to astronomical dimensions.

[1]This relation must hold for an arbitrary choice of the origin and of the direction (ratios ) of the interval.

The quantity we call the length of the interval. In order that this may be uniquely determined it is necessary to fix arbitrarily the length of a definite interval; for example, we can put it equal to 1 (unit of length). Then the lengths of all other intervals may be determined. If we make the linearly dependent upon a parameter , we obtain a line which has all the properties of the straight lines of the Euclidean geometry. In particular, it easily follows that by laying off times the interval upon a straight line, an interval of length is obtained. A length, therefore, means the result of a measurement carried out along a straight line by means of a unit measuring rod. It has a significance which is as independent of the system of co-ordinates as that of a straight line, as will appear in the sequel.

We come now to a train of thought which plays an analogous role in the theories of special and general relativity. We ask the question: besides the Cartesian co-ordinates which we have used are there other equivalent co-ordinates? An interval has a physical meaning which is independent of the choice of co-ordinates; and so has the spherical surface which we obtain as the locus of the end points of all equal intervals that we lay off from an arbitrary point of our space of reference. If as well as ( from 1 to 3) are Cartesian co-ordinates of our space of reference, then the spherical surface will be expressed in our two systems of co-ordinates by the equations How must the be expressed in terms of the in order that equations (2) and (2a) may be equivalent to each other? Regarding the expressed as functions of the , we can write, by Taylor's theorem, for small values of the , If we substitute (2a) in this equation and compare with (1), we see that the must be linear functions of the . If we therefore put then the equivalence of equations (2) and (2a) is expressed in the form It therefore follows that must be a constant. If we put = 1, (2b) and (3a) furnish the conditions in which = 1, or = 0, according = or ≠ . The conditions (4) are called the conditions of orthogonality, and the transformations (3), (4), linear orthogonal transformations. If we stipulate that shall be equal to the square of the length in every system of co-ordinates, and if we always measure with the same unit scale, then must be equal to 1. Therefore the linear orthogonal transformations are the only ones by means of which we can pass from one Cartesian system of co-ordinates in our space of reference to another. We see that in applying such transformations the equations of a straight line become equations of a straight line. Reversing equations (3a) by multiplying both sides by and summing for all the 's, we obtain The same coefficients, , also determine the inverse substitution of . Geometrically, is the cosine of the angle between the axis and the axis.

To sum up, we can say that in the Euclidean geometry there are (in a given space of reference) preferred systems of co-ordinates, the Cartesian systems, which transform into each other by linear orthogonal transformations. The distance between two points of our space of reference, measured by a measuring rod, is expressed in such co-ordinates in a particularly simple manner. The whole of geometry may be founded upon this conception of distance. In the present treatment, geometry is related to actual things (rigid bodies), and its theorems are statements concerning the behaviour of these things, which may prove to be true or false.

One is ordinarily accustomed to study geometry divorced from any relation between its concepts and experience. There are advantages in isolating that which is purely logical and independent of what is, in principle, incomplete empiricism. This is satisfactory to the pure mathematician. He is satisfied if he can deduce his theorems from axioms correctly, that is, without errors of logic. The question as to whether Euclidean geometry is true or not does not concern him. But for our purpose it is necessary to associate the fundamental concepts of geometry with natural objects; without such an association geometry is worthless for the physicist. The physicist is concerned with the question as to whether the theorems of geometry are true or not. That Euclidean geometry, from this point of view, affirms something more than the mere deductions derived logically from definitions may be seen from the following simple consideration.

Between points of space there are distances, ; between these and the co-ordinates we have the relations

From these equations the co-ordinates may be eliminated, and from this elimination at least equations in the , will result.[2] Since the are measurable quantities, and by definition are independent of each other, these relations between the are not necessary a priori.

[2]In reality there are equations.

From the foregoing it is evident that the equations of transformation (3), (4) have a fundamental significance in Euclidean geometry, in that they govern the transformation from one Cartesian system of co-ordinates to another. The Cartesian systems of co-ordinates are characterized by the property that in them the measurable distance between two points, , is expressed by the equation

If and are two Cartesian systems of co-ordinates, then

The right-hand side is identically equal to the left-hand side on account of the equations of the linear orthogonal transformation, and the right-hand side differs from the left-hand side only in that the are replaced by the . This is expressed by the statement that is an invariant with respect to linear orthogonal transformations. It is evident that in the Euclidean geometry only such, and all such, quantities have an objective significance, independent of the particular choice of the Cartesian co-ordinates, as can be expressed by an invariant with respect to linear orthogonal transformations. This is the reason that the theory of invariants, which has to do with the laws that govern the form of invariants, is so important for analytical geometry.

As a second example of a geometrical invariant, consider a volume. This is expressed by By means of Jacobi's theorem we may write where the integrand in the last integral is the functional determinant of the with respect to the , and this by (3) is equal to the determinant of the coefficients of substitution, . If we form the determinant of the from equation (4), we obtain, by means of the theorem of multiplication of determinants, If we limit ourselves to those transformations which have the determinant +1,[3] and only these arise from continuous variations of the systems of co-ordinates, then is an invariant.

[3]There are thus two kinds of Cartesian systems which are designated as "right-handed" and "left-handed" systems. The difference between these is familiar to every physicist and engineer. It is interesting to note that these two kinds of systems cannot be defined geometrically, but only the contrast between them.

Invariants, however, are not the only forms by means of which we can give expression to the independence of the particular choice of the Cartesian co-ordinates. Vectors and tensors are other forms of expression. Let us express the fact that the point with the current co-ordinates lies upon a straight line. We have Without limiting the generality we can put

If we multiply the equations by (compare (3a) and (5)) and sum for all the 's, we get where we have written

These are the equations of straight lines with respect to a second Cartesian system of co-ordinates '. They have the same form as the equations with respect to the original system of co-ordinates. It is therefore evident that straight lines have a significance which is independent of the system of co-ordinates. Formally, this depends upon the fact that the quantities () - are transformed as the components of an interval, . The ensemble of three quantities, defined for every system of Cartesian co-ordinates, and which transform as the components of an interval, is called a vector. If the three components of a vector vanish for one system of Cartesian co-ordinates, they vanish for all systems, because the equations of transformation are homogeneous. We can thus get the meaning of the concept of a vector without referring to a geometrical representation. This behaviour of the equations of a straight line can be expressed by saying that the equation of a straight line is co-variant with respect to linear orthogonal transformations.

We shall now show briefly that there are geometrical entities which lead to the concept of tensors. Let be the centre of a surface of the second degree, any point on the surface, and the projections of the interval upon the co-ordinate axes. Then the equation of the surface is In this, and in analogous cases, we shall omit the sign of summation, and understand that the summation is to be carried out for those indices that appear twice. We thus write the equation of the surface The quantities determine the surface completely, for a given position of the centre, with respect to the chosen system of Cartesian co-ordinates. From the known law of transformation for the (3a) for linear orthogonal transformations, we easily find the law of transformation for the :[4]

[4]The equation may, by (5), be replaced by = 1, from which the result stated immediately follows.

This transformation is homogeneous and of the first degree in the . On account of this transformation, the , are called components of a tensor of the second rank (the latter on account of the double index). If all the components, , of a tensor with respect to any system of Cartesian co-ordinates vanish, they vanish with respect to every other Cartesian system. The form and the position of the surface of the second degree is described by this tensor ().

Analytic tensors of higher rank (number of indices) may be defined. It is possible and advantageous to regard vectors as tensors of rank 1, and invariants (scalars) as tensors of rank 0. In this respect, the problem of the theory of invariants may be so formulated: according to what laws may new tensors be formed from given tensors? We shall consider these laws now, in order to be able to apply them later. We shall deal first only with the properties of tensors with respect to the transformation from one Cartesian system to another in the same space of reference, by means of linear orthogonal transformations. As the laws are wholly independent of the number of dimensions, we shall leave this number, , indefinite at first.

Definition. If a figure is defined with respect to every system of Cartesian co-ordinates in a space of reference of dimensions by the numbers ( = number of indices), then these numbers are the components of a tensor of rank if the transformation law is

Remark. From this definition it follows that is an invariant, provided that (), (), () ... are vectors. Conversely, the tensor character of () may be inferred, if it is known that the expression (8) leads to an invariant for an arbitrary choice of the vectors (), (), etc.

Addition and Subtraction. By addition and subtraction of the corresponding components of tensors of the same rank, a tensor of equal rank results: The proof follows from the definition of a tensor given above.

Multiplication. From a tensor of rank and a tensor of rank we may obtain a tensor of rank + by multiplying all the components of the first tensor by all the components of the second tensor:

Contraction. A tensor of rank - 2 may be obtained from one of rank by putting two definite indices equal to each other and then summing for this single index:

The proof is

In addition to these elementary rules of operation there is also the formation of tensors by differentiation ("erweiterung"):

New tensors, in respect to linear orthogonal transformations, may be formed from tensors according to these rules of operation.

Symmetrical Properties of Tensors. Tensors are called symmetrical or skew-symmetrical in respect to two of their indices, and , if both the components which result from interchanging the indices and are equal to each other or equal with opposite signs.

Theorem. The character of symmetry or skew-symmetry exists independently of the choice of co-ordinates, and in this lies its importance. The proof follows from the equation defining tensors.

Special Tensors.

I. The quantities (4) are tensor components (fundamental tensor).

Proof. If in the right-hand side of the equation of transformation = , we substitute for the quantities (which are equal to 1 or 0 according as = or ≠ ), we get The justification for the last sign of equality becomes evident if one applies (4) to the inverse substitution (5).

II. There is a tensor () skew-symmetrical with respect to all pairs of indices, whose rank is equal to the number of dimensions, , and whose components are equal to +1 or -1 according as is an even or odd permutation of 1 2 3....

The proof follows with the aid of the theorem proved above

These few simple theorems form the apparatus from the theory of invariants for building the equations of pre-relativity physics and the theory of special relativity.

We have seen that in pre-relativity physics, in order to specify relations in space, a body of reference, or a space of reference, is required, and, in addition, a Cartesian system of co-ordinates. We can fuse both these concepts into a single one by thinking of a Cartesian system of co-ordinates as a cubical frame-work formed of rods each of unit length. The co-ordinates of the lattice points of this frame are integral numbers. It follows from the fundamental relation that the members of such a space-lattice are all of unit length. To specify relations in time, we require in addition a standard clock placed at the origin of our Cartesian system of co-ordinates or frame of reference. If an event takes place anywhere we can assign to it three co-ordinates, , and a time , as soon as we have specified the time of the clock at the origin which is simultaneous with the event. We therefore give an objective significance to the statement of the simultaneity of distant events, while previously we have been concerned only with the simultaneity of two experiences of an individual. The time so specified is at all events independent of the position of the system of co-ordinates in our space of reference, and is therefore an invariant with respect to the transformation (3).

It is postulated that the system of equations expressing the laws of pre-relativity physics is co-variant with respect to the transformation (3), as are the relations of Euclidean geometry. The isotropy and homogeneity of space is expressed in this way.[5] We shall now consider some of the more important equations of physics from this point of view.

[5]The laws of physics could be expressed, even in case there were a unique direction in space, in such a way as to be co-variant with respect to the transformation (3); but such an expression would in this case be unsuitable. If there were a unique direction in space it would simplify the description of natural phenomena to orient the system of co-ordinates in a definite way in this direction. But if, on the other hand, there is no unique direction in space it is not logical to formulate the laws of nature in such a way as to conceal the equivalence of systems of co-ordinates that are oriented differently. We shall meet with this point of view again in the theories of special and general relativity.

The equations of motion of a material particle are () is a vector; , and therefore also , an invariant; thus () is a vector; in the same way it may be shown that () is a vector. In general, the operation of differentiation with respect to time does not alter the tensor character. Since is an invariant (tensor of rank 0), ) is a vector, or tensor of rank 1 (by the theorem of the multiplication of tensors). If the force () has a vector character, the same holds for the difference (. These equations of motion are therefore valid in every other system of Cartesian co-ordinates in the space of reference. In the case where the forces are conservative we can easily recognize the vector character of (). For a potential energy, , exists, which depends only upon the mutual distances of the particles, and is therefore an invariant. The vector character of the force, = , is then a consequence of our general theorem about the derivative of a tensor of rank 0.

Multiplying by the velocity, a tensor of rank 1, we obtain the tensor equation By contraction and multiplication by the scalar we obtain the equation of kinetic energy

If denotes the difference of the co-ordinates of the material particle and a point fixed in space, then the have the character of vectors. We evidently have = , so that the equations of motion of the particle may be written

Multiplying this equation by we obtain a tensor equation

Contracting the tensor on the left and taking the time average we obtain the virial theorem, which we shall not consider further. By interchanging the indices and subsequent subtraction, we obtain, after a simple transformation, the theorem of moments,

It is evident in this way that the moment of a vector is not a vector but a tensor. On account of their skew-symmetrical character there are not nine, but only three independent equations of this system. The possibility of replacing skew-symmetrical tensors of the second rank in space of three dimensions by vectors depends upon the formation of the vector

If we multiply the skew-symmetrical tensor of rank 2 by the special skew-symmetrical tensor introduced above, and contract twice, a vector results whose components are numerically equal to those of the tensor. These are the so-called axial vectors which transform differently, from a right-handed system to a left-handed system, from the . There is a gain in picturesqueness in regarding a skew-symmetrical tensor of rank 2 as a vector in space of three dimensions, but it does not represent the exact nature of the corresponding quantity so well as considering it a tensor.

We consider next the equations of motion of a continuous medium. Let be the density, the velocity components considered as functions of the co-ordinates and the time, the volume forces per unit of mass, and the stresses upon a surface perpendicular to the a-axis in the direction of increasing . Then the equations of motion are, by Newton's law, in which is the acceleration of the particle which at time has the co-ordinates . If we express this acceleration by partial differential coefficients, we obtain, after dividing by ,

We must show that this equation holds independently of the special choice of the Cartesian system of co-ordinates. () is a vector, and therefore is also a vector. is a tensor of rank 2, is a tensor of rank 3. The second term on the left results from contraction in the indices , . The vector character of the second term on the right is obvious. In order that the first term on the right may also be a vector it is necessary for to be a tensor. Then by differentiation and contraction results, and is therefore a vector, as it also is after multiplication by the reciprocal scalar . That is a tensor, and therefore transforms according to the equation is proved in mechanics by integrating this equation over an infinitely small tetrahedron. It is also proved there, by application of the theorem of moments to an infinitely small parallelopipedon, that , and hence that the tensor of the stress is a symmetrical tensor. From what has been said it follows that, with the aid of the rules given above, the equation is co-variant with respect to orthogonal transformations in space (rotational transformations); and the rules according to which the quantities in the equation must be transformed in order that the equation may be co-variant also become evident.

The co-variance of the equation of continuity, requires, from the foregoing, no particular discussion.

We shall also test for co-variance the equations which express the dependence of the stress components upon the properties of the matter, and set up these equations for the case of a compressible viscous fluid with the aid of the conditions of co-variance. If we neglect the viscosity, the pressure, , will be a scalar, and will depend only upon the density and the temperature of the fluid. The contribution to the stress tensor is then evidently in which is the special symmetrical tensor. This term will also be present in the case of a viscous fluid. But in this case there will also be pressure terms, which depend upon the space derivatives of the . We shall assume that this dependence is a linear one. Since these terms must be symmetrical tensors, the only ones which enter will be (for is a scalar). For physical reasons (no slipping) it is assumed that for symmetrical dilatations in all directions, i.e. when there are no frictional forces present, from which it follows that = . If only is different from zero, let , by which is determined. We then obtain for the complete stress tensor,

The heuristic value of the theory of invariants, which arises from the isotropy of space (equivalence of all directions), becomes evident from this example.

We consider, finally, Maxwell's equations in the form which are the foundation of the electron theory of Lorentz.

is a vector, because the current density is defined as the density of electricity multiplied by the vector velocity of the electricity. According to the first three equations it is evident that is also to be regarded as a vector. Then cannot be regarded as a vector.[6] The equations may, however, easily be interpreted if is regarded as a skew-symmetrical tensor of the second rank. In this sense, we write , , in place of , , respectively. Paying attention to the skew-symmetry of , the first three equations of (19) and (20) may be written in the form In contrast to , appears as a quantity which has the same type of symmetry as an angular velocity. The divergence equations then take the form The last equation is a skew-symmetrical tensor equation of the third rank (the skew-symmetry of the left-hand side with respect to every pair of indices may easily be proved, if attention is paid to the skew-symmetry of ). This notation is more natural than the usual one, because, in contrast to the latter, it is applicable to Cartesian left-handed systems as well as to right-handed systems without change of sign.

[6]These considerations will make the reader familiar with tensor operations without the special difficulties of the four-dimensional treatment; corresponding considerations in the theory of special relativity (Minkowski's interpretation of the field) will then offer fewer difficulties.

LECTURE II

THE THEORY OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY

THE previous considerations concerning the configuration of rigid bodies have been founded, irrespective of the assumption as to the validity of the Euclidean geometry, upon the hypothesis that all directions in space, or all configurations of Cartesian systems of co-ordinates, are physically equivalent. We may express this as the "principle of relativity with respect to direction," and it has been shown how equations (laws of nature) may be found, in accord with this principle, by the aid of the calculus of tensors. We now inquire whether there is a relativity with respect to the state of motion of the space of reference; in other words, whether there are spaces of reference in motion relatively to each other which are physically equivalent. From the standpoint of mechanics it appears that equivalent spaces of reference do exist. For experiments upon the earth tell us nothing of the fact that we are moving about the sun with a velocity of approximately 30 kilometres a second. On the other hand, this physical equivalence does not seem to hold for spaces of reference in arbitrary motion; for mechanical effects do not seem to be subject to the same laws in a jolting railway train as in one moving with uniform velocity; the rotation of the earth must be considered in writing down the equations of motion relatively to the earth. It appears, therefore, as if there were Cartesian systems of co-ordinates, the so-called inertial systems, with reference to which the laws of mechanics (more generally the laws of physics) are expressed in the simplest form. We may infer the validity of the following theorem: If is an inertial system, then every other system ' which moves uniformly and without rotation relatively to , is also an inertial system; the laws of nature are in concordance for all inertial systems. This statement we shall call the "principle of special relativity." We shall draw certain conclusions from this principle of "relativity of translation" just as we have already done for relativity of direction.

In order to be able to do this, we must first solve the following problem. If we are given the Cartesian co-ordinates, , and the time, , of an event relatively to one inertial system, , how can we calculate the co-ordinates, , and the time, ', of the same event relatively to an inertial system ' which moves with uniform translation relatively to ? In the pre-relativity physics this problem was solved by making unconsciously two hypotheses:—

1. The time is absolute; the time of an event, ', relatively to ' is the same as the time relatively to . If instantaneous signals could be sent to a distance, and if one knew that the state of motion of a clock had no influence on its rate, then this assumption would be physically established. For then clocks, similar to one another, and regulated alike, could be distributed over the systems and ', at rest relatively to them, and their indications would be independent of the state of motion of the systems; the time of an event would then be given by the clock in its immediate neighbourhood.

2. Length is absolute; if an interval, at rest relatively to , has a length , then it has the same length relatively to a system ' which is in motion relatively to .

If the axes of and ' are parallel to each other, a simple calculation based on these two assumptions, gives the equations of transformation

This transformation is known as the "Galilean Transformation." Differentiating twice by the time, we get Further, it follows that for two simultaneous events, The invariance of the distance between the two points results from squaring and adding. From this easily follows the co-variance of Newton's equations of motion with respect to the Galilean transformation (21). Hence it follows that classical mechanics is in accord with the principle of special relativity if the two hypotheses respecting scales and clocks are made.

But this attempt to found relativity of translation upon the Galilean transformation fails when applied to electromagnetic phenomena. The Maxwell-Lorentz electromagnetic equations are not co-variant with respect to the Galilean transformation. In particular, we note, by (21), that a ray of light which referred to has a velocity , has a different velocity referred to ', depending upon its direction. The space of reference of is therefore distinguished, with respect to its physical properties, from all spaces of reference which are in motion relatively to it (quiescent æther). But all experiments have shown that electromagnetic and optical phenomena, relatively to the earth as the body of reference, are not influenced by the translational velocity of the earth. The most important of these experiments are those of Michelson and Morley, which I shall assume are known. The validity of the principle of special relativity can therefore hardly be doubted.

On the other hand, the Maxwell-Lorentz equations have proved their validity in the treatment of optical problems in moving bodies. No other theory has satisfactorily explained the facts of aberration, the propagation of light in moving bodies (Fizeau), and phenomena observed in double stars (De Sitter). The consequence of the Maxwell-Lorentz equations that in a vacuum light is propagated with the velocity , at least with respect to a definite inertial system , must therefore be regarded as proved. According to the principle of special relativity, we must also assume the truth of this principle for every other inertial system.

Before we draw any conclusions from these two principles we must first review the physical significance of the concepts "time" and "velocity." It follows from what has gone before, that co-ordinates with respect to an inertial system are physically defined by means of measurements and constructions with the aid of rigid bodies. In order to measure time, we have supposed a clock, , present somewhere, at rest relatively to . But we cannot fix the time, by means of this clock, of an event whose distance from the clock is not negligible; for there are no "instantaneous signals" that we can use in order to compare the time of the event with that of the clock. In order to complete the definition of time we may employ the principle of the constancy of the velocity of light in a vacuum. Let us suppose that we place similar clocks at points of the system , at rest relatively to it, and regulated according to the following scheme. A ray of light is sent out from one of the clocks, , at the instant when it indicates the time , and travels through a vacuum a distance , to the clock ; at the instant when this ray meets the clock the latter is set to indicate the time = + .[7] The principle of the constancy of the velocity of light then states that this adjustment of the clocks will not lead to contradictions. With clocks so adjusted, we can assign the time to events which take place near any one of them. It is essential to note that this definition of time relates only to the inertial system , since we have used a system of clocks at rest relatively to . The assumption which was made in the pre-relativity physics of the absolute character of time (i.e. the independence of time of the choice of the inertial system) does not follow at all from this definition.

[7]Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to define simultaneity first, somewhat as follows: two events taking place at the points and of the system are simultaneous if they appear at the same instant when observed from the middle point, , of the interval . Time is then defined as the ensemble of the indications of similar clocks, at rest relatively to , which register the same simultaneously.

The theory of relativity is often criticized for giving, without justification, a central theoretical role to the propagation of light, in that it founds the concept of time upon the law of propagation of light. The situation, however, is somewhat as follows. In order to give physical significance to the concept of time, processes of some kind are required which enable relations to be established between different places. It is immaterial what kind of processes one chooses for such a definition of time. It is advantageous, however, for the theory, to choose only those processes concerning which we know something certain. This holds for the propagation of light in vacuo in a higher degree than for any other process which could be considered, thanks to the investigations of Maxwell and H. A. Lorentz.

From all of these considerations, space and time data have a physically real, and not a mere fictitious, significance; in particular this holds for all the relations in which co-ordinates and time enter, e.g. the relations (21). There is, therefore, sense in asking whether those equations are true or not, as well as in asking what the true equations of transformation are by which we pass from one inertial system to another, ', moving relatively to it. It may be shown that this is uniquely settled by means of the principle of the constancy of the velocity of light and the principle of special relativity.

To this end we think of space and time physically defined with respect to two inertial systems, and ', in the way that has been shown. Further, let a ray of light pass from one point to another point of through a vacuum. If is the measured distance between the two points, then the propagation of light must satisfy the equation

If we square this equation, and express by the differences of the co-ordinates, , in place of this equation we can write This equation formulates the principle of the constancy of the velocity of light relatively to . It must hold whatever may be the motion of the source which emits the ray of light.

The same propagation of light may also be considered relatively to ', in which case also the principle of the constancy of the velocity of light must be satisfied. Therefore, with respect to ', we have the equation

Equations (22a) and (22) must be mutually consistent with each other with respect to the transformation which transforms from to '. A transformation which effects this we shall call a "Lorentz transformation."

Before considering these transformations in detail we shall make a few general remarks about space and time. In the pre-relativity physics space and time were separate entities. Specifications of time were independent of the choice of the space of reference. The Newtonian mechanics was relative with respect to the space of reference, so that, e.g. the statement that two non-simultaneous events happened at the same place had no objective meaning (that is, independent of the space of reference). But this relativity had no role in building up the theory. One spoke of points of space, as of instants of time, as if they were absolute realities. It was not observed that the true element of the space-time specification was the event, specified by the four numbers , , , . The conception of something happening was always that of a four-dimensional continuum; but the recognition of this was obscured by the absolute character of the pre-relativity time. Upon giving up the hypothesis of the absolute character of time, particularly that of simultaneity, the four-dimensionality of the time-space concept was immediately recognized. It is neither the point in space, nor the instant in time, at which something happens that has physical reality, but only the event itself. There is no absolute (independent of the space of reference) relation in space, and no absolute relation in time between two events, but there is an absolute (independent of the space of reference) relation in space and time, as will appear in the sequel. The circumstance that there is no objective rational division of the four-dimensional continuum into a three-dimensional space and a one-dimensional time continuum indicates that the laws of nature will assume a form which is logically most satisfactory when expressed as laws in the four-dimensional space-time continuum. Upon this depends the great advance in method which the theory of relativity owes to Minkowski. Considered from this standpoint, we must regard , , , as the four co-ordinates of an event in the four-dimensional continuum. We have far less success in picturing to ourselves relations in this four-dimensional continuum than in the three-dimensional Euclidean continuum; but it must be emphasized that even in the Euclidean three-dimensional geometry its concepts and relations are only of an abstract nature in our minds, and are not at all identical with the images we form visually and through our sense of touch. The non-divisibility of the four-dimensional continuum of events does not at all, however, involve the equivalence of the space co-ordinates with the time co-ordinate. On the contrary, we must remember that the time co-ordinate is defined physically wholly differently from the space co-ordinates. The relations (22) and (22a) which when equated define the Lorentz transformation show, further, a difference in the role of the time co-ordinate from that of the space co-ordinates; for the term has the opposite sign to the space terms, , , .

Before we analyse further the conditions which define the Lorentz transformation, we shall introduce the light-time, , in place of the time, , in order that the constant shall not enter explicitly into the formulas to be developed later. Then the Lorentz transformation is defined in such a way that, first, it makes the equation a co-variant equation, that is, an equation which is satisfied with respect to every inertial system if it is satisfied in the inertial system to which we refer the two given events (emission and reception of the ray of light). Finally, with Minkowski, we introduce in place of the real time co-ordinate , the imaginary time co-ordinate Then the equation defining the propagation of light, which must be co-variant with respect to the Lorentz transformation, becomes This condition is always satisfied[8] if we satisfy the more general condition that shall be an invariant with respect to the transformation. This condition is satisfied only by linear transformations, that is, transformations of the type in which the summation over the is to be extended from = 1 to = 4. A glance at equations (23) and (24) shows that the Lorentz transformation so defined is identical with the translational and rotational transformations of the Euclidean geometry, if we disregard the number of dimensions and the relations of reality. We can also conclude that the coefficients must satisfy the conditions Since the ratios of the are real, it follows that all the and the are real, except , , , , , and , which are purely imaginary.

[8]That this specialization lies in the nature of the case will be evident later.

Special Lorentz Transformation. We obtain the simplest transformations of the type of (24) and (25) if only two of the co-ordinates are to be transformed, and if all the , which determine the new origin, vanish. We obtain then for the indices 1 and 2, on account of the three independent conditions which the relations (25) furnish,

This is a simple rotation in space of the (space) co-ordinate system about -axis. We see that the rotational transformation in space (without the time transformation) which we studied before is contained in the Lorentz transformation as a special case. For the indices 1 and 4 we obtain, in an analogous manner,

On account of the relations of reality must be taken as imaginary. To interpret these equations physically, we introduce the real light-time and the velocity of ' relatively to , instead of the imaginary angle . We have, first, Since for the origin of ' i.e., for = 0, we must have , it follows from the first of these equations that and also so that we obtain

These equations form the well-known special Lorentz transformation, which in the general theory represents a rotation, through an imaginary angle, of the four-dimensional system of co-ordinates. If we introduce the ordinary time , in place of the light-time , then in (29) we must replace by and by .

We must now fill in a gap. From the principle of the constancy of the velocity of light it follows that the equation has a significance which is independent of the choice of the inertial system; but the invariance of the quantity does not at all follow from this. This quantity might be transformed with a factor. This depends upon the fact that the right-hand side of (29) might be multiplied by a factor , independent of . But the principle of relativity does not permit this factor to be different from 1, as we shall now show. Let us assume that we have a rigid circular cylinder moving in the direction of its axis. If its radius, measured at rest with a unit measuring rod is equal to , its radius in motion, might be different from , since the theory of relativity does not make the assumption that the shape of bodies with respect to a space of reference is independent of their motion relatively to this space of reference. But all directions in space must be equivalent to each other. may therefore depend upon the magnitude of the velocity, but not upon its direction; must therefore be an even function of . If the cylinder is at rest relatively to ' the equation of its lateral surface is If we write the last two equations of (29) more generally then the lateral surface of the cylinder referred to satisfies the equation The factor therefore measures the lateral contraction of the cylinder, and can thus, from the above, be only an even function of .

If we introduce a third system of co-ordinates, ", which moves relatively to ' with velocity in the direction of the negative -axis of , we obtain, by applying (29) twice, Now, since must be equal to and since we assume that we use the same measuring rods in all the systems, it follows that the transformation of " to must be the identical transformation (since the possibility does not need to be considered). It is essential for these considerations to assume that the behaviour of the measuring rods does not depend upon the history of their previous motion.

Moving Measuring Rods and Clocks. At the definite -time, , the position of the points given by the integers , is with respect to , given by ; this follows from the first of equations (29) and expresses the Lorentz contraction. A clock at rest at the origin of , whose beats are characterized by , will, when observed from ', have beats characterized by this follows from the second of equations (29) and shows that the clock goes slower than if it were at rest relatively to '. These two consequences, which hold, mutatis mutandis, for every system of reference, form the physical content, free from convention, of the Lorentz transformation.

Addition Theorem for Velocities. If we combine two special Lorentz transformations with the relative velocities and , then the velocity of the single Lorentz transformation which takes the place of the two separate ones is, according to (27), given by

General Statements about the Lorentz Transformation and its Theory of Invariants. The whole theory of invariants of the special theory of relativity depends upon the invariant (23). Formally, it has the same rôle in the four-dimensional space-time continuum as the invariant + + in the Euclidean geometry and in the pre-relativity physics. The latter quantity is not an invariant with respect to all the Lorentz transformations; the quantity of equation (23) assumes the rôle of this invariant. With respect to an arbitrary inertial system, may be determined by measurements; with a given unit of measure it is a completely determinate quantity, associated with an arbitrary pair of events.

The invariant differs, disregarding the number of dimensions, from the corresponding invariant of the Euclidean geometry in the following points. In the Euclidean geometry is necessarily positive; it vanishes only when the two points concerned come together. On the other hand, from the vanishing of it cannot be concluded that the two space-time points fall together; the vanishing of this quantity , is the invariant condition that the two space-time points can be connected by a light signal in vacuo. If a point (event) represented in the four-dimensional space of the , , , then all the "points" which can be connected to by means of a light signal lie upon the cone = 0 (compare Fig. 1, in which the dimension is suppressed). The "upper" half of the cone may contain the "points" to which light signals can be sent from ; then the "lower" half of the cone will contain the "points" from which light signals can be sent to . The points enclosed by the conical surface furnish, with , a negative ; as well as is then, according to Minkowski, of the nature of a time. Such intervals represent elements of possible paths of motion, the velocity being less than that of light.[9] In this case the -axis may be drawn in the direction of by suitably choosing the state of motion of the inertial system. If lies outside of the "light-cone" then is of the nature of a space; in this case, by properly choosing the inertial system, can be made to vanish.

FIG. 1.

[9]That material velocities exceeding that of light are not possible, follows from the appearance of the radical in the special Lorentz transformation (29).

By the introduction of the imaginary time variable, , Minkowski has made the theory of invariants for the four-dimensional continuum of physical phenomena fully analogous to the theory of invariants for the three-dimensional continuum of Euclidean space. The theory of four-dimensional tensors of special relativity differs from the theory of tensors in three-dimensional space, therefore, only in the number of dimensions and the relations of reality.

A physical entity which is specified by four quantities, , in an arbitrary inertial system of the , , , , is called a 4-vector, with the components , if the correspond in their relations of reality and the properties of transformation to the ; it may be of the nature of a space or of a time. The sixteen quantities , then form the components of a tensor of the second rank, if they transform according to the scheme It follows from this that the behave, with respect to their properties of transformation and their properties of reality, as the products of components, of two 4-vectors, () and (). All the components are real except those which contain the index 4 once, those being purely imaginary. Tensors of the third and higher ranks may be defined in an analogous way. The operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, contraction and differentiation for these tensors are wholly analogous to the corresponding operations for tensors in three-dimensional space.

Before we apply the tensor theory to the four-dimensional space-time continuum, we shall examine more particularly the skew-symmetrical tensors. The tensor of the second rank has, in general, 16 = 4·4 components. In the case of skew-symmetry the components with two equal indices vanish, and the components with unequal indices are equal and opposite in pairs. There exist, therefore, only six independent components, as is the case in the electromagnetic field. In fact, it will be shown when we consider Maxwell's equations that these may be looked upon as tensor equations, provided we regard the electromagnetic field as a skew-symmetrical tensor. Further, it is clear that the skew-symmetrical tensor of the third rank (skew-symmetrical in all pairs of indices) has only four independent components, since there are only four combinations of three different indices.

We now turn to Maxwell's equations (19a), (19b), (20a), (20b), and introduce the notation:[10] with the convention that shall be equal to . Then Maxwell's equations may be combined into the forms as one can easily verify by substituting from (30a) and (31). Equations (32) and (33) have a tensor character, and are therefore co-variant with respect to Lorentz transformations, if the and the have a tensor character, which we assume. Consequently, the laws for transforming these quantities from one to another allowable (inertial) system of co-ordinates are uniquely determined. The progress in method which electrodynamics owes to the theory of special relativity lies principally in this, that the number of independent hypotheses is diminished. If we consider, for example, equations (19a) only from the standpoint of relativity of direction, as we have done above, we see that they have three logically independent terms. The way in which the electric intensity enters these equations appears to be wholly independent of the way in which the magnetic intensity enters them; it would not be surprising if instead of , we had, say, or if this term were absent. On the other hand, only two independent terms appear in equation (32). The electromagnetic field appears as a formal unit; the way in which the electric field enters this equation is determined by the way in which the magnetic field enters it. Besides the electromagnetic field, only the electric current density appears as an independent entity. This advance in method arises from the fact that the electric and magnetic fields draw their separate existences from the relativity of motion. A field which appears to be purely an electric field, judged from one system, has also magnetic field components when judged from another inertial system. When applied to an electromagnetic field, the general law of transformation furnishes, for the special case of the special Lorentz transformation, the equations

[10]In order to avoid confusion from now on we shall use the three-dimensional space indices, , , instead of 1, 2, 3, and we shall reserve the numeral indices 1, 2, 3, 4 for the four-dimensional space-time continuum.

If there exists with respect to only a magnetic field, , but no electric field, , then with respect to ' there exists an electric field as well, which would act upon an electric particle at rest relatively to '. An observer at rest relatively to would designate this force as the Biot-Savart force, or the Lorentz electromotive force. It therefore appears as if this electromotive force had become fused with the electric field intensity into a single entity.

In order to view this relation formally, let us consider the expression for the force acting upon unit volume of electricity, in which is the vector velocity of electricity, with the velocity of light as the unit. If we introduce and according to (30a) and (31), we obtain for the first component the expression Observing that vanishes on account of the skew-symmetry of the tensor (), the components of are given by the first three components of the four-dimensional vector and the fourth component is given by There is, therefore, a four-dimensional vector of force per unit volume, whose first three components, , , , are the ponderomotive force components per unit volume, and whose fourth component is the rate of working of the field per unit volume, multiplied by .

A comparison of (36) and (35) shows that the theory of relativity formally unites the ponderomotive force of the electric field, , and the Biot-Savart or Lorentz force [, ].

Mass and Energy. An important conclusion can be drawn from the existence and significance of the 4-vector . Let us imagine a body upon which the electromagnetic field acts for a time. In the symbolic figure (Fig. 2) designates the -axis, and is at the same time a substitute for the three space axes , , ; designates the real time axis. In this diagram a body of finite extent is represented, at a definite time , by the interval the whole space-time existence of the body is represented by a strip whose boundary is everywhere inclined less than 45° to the -axis. Between the time sections, = and = , but not extending to them, a portion of the strip is shaded. This represents the portion of the space-time manifold in which the electromagnetic field acts upon the body, or upon the electric charges contained in it, the action upon them being transmitted to the body. We shall now consider the changes which take place in the momentum and energy of the body as a result of this action.

FIG. 2.

We shall assume that the principles of momentum and energy are valid for the body. The change in momentum, , , , and the change in energy, are then given by the expressions Since the four-dimensional element of volume is an invariant, and (, , , ) forms a 4-vector, the four-dimensional integral extended over the shaded portion transforms as a 4-vector, as does also the integral between the limits and , because the portion of the region which is not shaded contributes nothing to the integral. It follows, therefore, that , , , form a 4-vector. Since the quantities themselves transform in the same way as their increments, it follows that the aggregate of the four quantities has itself the properties of a vector; these quantities are referred to an instantaneous condition of the body (e.g. at the time = ).

This 4-vector may also be expressed in terms of the mass , and the velocity of the body, considered as a material particle. To form this expression, we note first, that is an invariant which refers to an infinitely short portion of the four-dimensional line which represents the motion of the material particle. The physical significance of the invariant may easily be given. If the time axis is chosen in such a way that it has the direction of the line differential which we are considering, or, in other words, if we reduce the material particle to rest, we shall then have ; this will therefore be measured by the light-seconds clock which is at the same place, and at rest relatively to the material particle. We therefore call the proper time of the material particle. As opposed to , is therefore an invariant, and is practically equivalent to for motions whose velocity is small compared to that of light. Hence we see that has, just as the , the character of a vector; we shall designate () as the four-dimensional vector (in brief, 4-vector) of velocity. Its components satisfy, by (38), the condition We see that this 4-vector, whose components in the ordinary notation are is the only 4-vector which can be formed from the velocity components of the material particle which are defined in three dimensions by We therefore see that must be that 4-vector which is to be equated to the 4-vector of momentum and energy whose existence we have proved above. By equating the components, we obtain, in three-dimensional notation,

We recognize, in fact, that these components of momentum agree with those of classical mechanics for velocities which are small compared to that of light. For large velocities the momentum increases more rapidly than linearly with the velocity, so as to become infinite on approaching the velocity of light.

If we apply the last of equations (43) to a material particle at rest ( = 0), we see that the energy, of a, body at rest is equal to its mass. Had we chosen the second as our unit of time, we would have obtained Mass and energy are therefore essentially alike; they are only different expressions for the same thing. The mass of a body is not a constant; it varies with changes in its energy.[11] We see from the last of equations (43) that becomes infinite when approaches 1, the velocity of light. If we develop in powers of , we obtain, The second term of this expansion corresponds to the kinetic energy of the material particle in classical mechanics.

[11]The emission of energy in radioactive processes is evidently connected with the fact that the atomic weights are not integers. Attempts have been made to draw conclusions from this concerning the structure and stability of the atomic nuclei.

Equations of Motion of Material Particles. From (43) we obtain, by differentiating by the time , and using the principle of momentum, in the notation of three-dimensional vectors,

This equation, which was previously employed by H. A. Lorentz for the motion of electrons, has been proved to be true, with great accuracy, by experiments with -rays.

Energy Tensor of the Electromagnetic Field. Before the development of the theory of relativity it was known that the principles of energy and momentum could be expressed in a differential form for the electromagnetic field. The four-dimensional formulation of these principles leads to an important conception, that of the energy tensor, which is important for the further development of the theory of relativity.

If in the expression for the 4-vector of force per unit volume, using the field equations (32), we express in terms of the field intensities, , we obtain, after some transformations and repeated application of the field equations (32) and (33), the expression where we have written[12]

[12]To be summed for the indices and .

The physical meaning of equation (47) becomes evident if in place of this equation we write, using a new notation, or, on eliminating the imaginary,

When expressed in the latter form, we see that the first three equations state the principle of momentum; ,..., are the Maxwell stresses in the electromagnetic field, and (, , ) is the vector momentum per unit volume of the field. The last of equations (47b) expresses the energy principle; is the vector flow of energy, and the energy per unit volume of the field. In fact, we get from (48) by introducing the well-known expressions for the components of the field intensity from electrodynamics, We conclude from (48) that the energy tensor of the electromagnetic field is symmetrical; with this is connected the fact that the momentum per unit volume and the how of energy are equal to each other (relation between energy and inertia).

We therefore conclude from these considerations that the energy per unit volume has the character of a tensor. This has been proved directly only for an electromagnetic field, although we may claim universal validity for it. Maxwell's equations determine the electromagnetic field when the distribution of electric charges and currents is known. But we do not know the laws which govern the currents and charges. We do know, indeed, that electricity consists of elementary particles (electrons, positive nuclei), but from a theoretical point of view we cannot comprehend this. We do not know the energy factors which determine the distribution of electricity in particles of definite size and charge, and all attempts to complete the theory in this direction have failed. If then we can build upon Maxwell's equations in general, the energy tensor of the electromagnetic field is known only outside the charged particles.[13] In these regions, outside of charged particles, the only regions in which we can believe that we have the complete expression for the energy tensor, we have, by (47),

[13]It has been attempted to remedy this lack of knowledge by considering the charged particles as proper singularities. But in my opinion this means giving up a real understanding of the structure of matter. It seems to me much better to give in to our present inability rather than to be satisfied by a solution that is only apparent.

General Expressions for the Conservation Principles. We can hardly avoid making the assumption that in all other cases, also, the space distribution of energy is given by a symmetrical tensor, , and that this complete energy tensor everywhere satisfies the relation (47c). At any rate we shall see that by means of this assumption we obtain the correct expression for the integral energy principle.

Let us consider a spatially bounded, closed system, which, four-dimensionally, we may represent as a strip, outside of which the vanish. Integrate equation (47c) over a space section. Since the integrals of , and vanish because the vanish at the limits of integration, we obtain Inside the parentheses are the expressions for the momentum of the whole system, multiplied by , together with the negative energy of the system, so that (49) expresses the conservation principles in their integral form. That this gives the right conception of energy and the conservation principles will be seen from the following considerations.

PHENOMENOLOGICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE ENERGY TENSOR OF MATTER.

Hydrodynamical Equations. We know that matter is built up of electrically charged particles, but we do not know the laws which govern the constitution of these particles. In treating mechanical problems, we are therefore obliged to make use of an inexact description of matter, which corresponds to that of classical mechanics. The density , of a material substance and the hydrodynamical pressures are the fundamental concepts upon which such a description is based.

FIG. 3.

Let be the density of matter at a place, estimated with reference to a system of co-ordinates moving with the matter. Then , the density at rest, is an invariant. If we think of the matter in arbitrary motion and neglect the pressures (particles of dust in vacuo, neglecting the size of the particles and the temperature), then the energy tensor will depend only upon the velocity components, and . We secure the tensor character of by putting in which the , in the three-dimensional representation, are given by (41). In fact, it follows from (50) that for , (equal to the negative energy per unit volume), as it should, according to the theorem of the equivalence of mass and energy, and according to the physical interpretation of the energy tensor given above. If an external force (four-dimensional vector, ) acts upon the matter, by the principles of momentum and energy the equation must hold. We shall now show that this equation leads to the same law of motion of a material particle as that already obtained. Let us imagine the matter to be of infinitely small extent in space, that is, a four-dimensional thread; then by integration over the whole thread with respect to the space co-ordinates , , , we obtain

Now is an invariant, as is, therefore, also . We shall calculate this integral, first with respect to the inertial system which we have chosen, and second, with respect to a system relatively to which the matter has the velocity zero. The integration is to be extended over a filament of the thread for which may be regarded as constant over the whole section. If the space volumes of the filament referred to the two systems are and respectively, then we have and therefore also

If we substitute the right-hand side for the left-hand side in the former integral, and put outside the sign of integration, we obtain, We see, therefore, that the generalized conception of the energy tensor is in agreement with our former result.

The Eulerian Equations for Perfect Fluids. In order to get nearer to the behaviour of real matter we must add to the energy tensor a term which corresponds to the pressures. The simplest case is that of a perfect fluid in which the pressure is determined by a scalar . Since the tangential stresses , etc., vanish in this case, the contribution to the energy tensor must be of the form . We must therefore put At rest, the density of the matter, or the energy per unit volume, is in this case, not but . For In the absence of any force, we have If we multiply this equation by and sum for the 's we obtain, using (40), where we have put . This is the equation of continuity, which differs from that of classical mechanics by the term , which, practically, is vanishingly small. Observing (52), the conservation principles take the form The equations for the first three indices evidently correspond to the Eulerian equations. That the equations (52) and (53) correspond, to a first approximation, to the hydrodynamical equations of classical mechanics, is a further confirmation of the generalized energy principle. The density of matter and of energy has the character of a symmetrical tensor.

LECTURE III

THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY

ALL of the previous considerations have been based upon the assumption that all inertial systems are equivalent for the description of physical phenomena, but that they are preferred, for the formulation of the laws of nature, to spaces of reference in a different state of motion. We can think of no cause for this preference for definite states of motion to all others, according to our previous considerations, either in the perceptible bodies or in the concept of motion; on the contrary, it must be regarded as an independent property of the space-time continuum. The principle of inertia, in particular, seems to compel us to ascribe physically objective properties to the space-time continuum. Just as it was necessary from the Newtonian standpoint to make both the statements, tempus est absolutum, spatium est absolutum, so from the standpoint of the special theory of relativity we must say, continuum spatii et temporis est absolutum. In this latter statement absolutum means not only "physically real," but also "independent in its physical properties, having a physical effect, but not itself influenced by physical conditions."

As long as the principle of inertia is regarded as the keystone of physics, this standpoint is certainly the only one which is justified. But there are two serious criticisms of the ordinary conception. In the first place, it is contrary to the mode of thinking in science to conceive of a thing (the space-time continuum) which acts itself, but which cannot be acted upon. This is the reason why E. Mach was led to make the attempt to eliminate space as an active cause in the system of mechanics. According to him, a material particle does not move in unaccelerated motion relatively to space, but relatively to the centre of all the other masses in the universe; in this way the series of causes of mechanical phenomena was closed, in contrast to the mechanics of Newton and Galileo. In order to develop this idea within the limits of the modern theory of action through a medium, the properties of the space-time continuum which determine inertia must be regarded as field properties of space, analogous to the electromagnetic field. The concepts of classical mechanics afford no way of expressing this. For this reason Mach's attempt at a solution failed for the time being. We shall come back to this point of view later. In the second place, classical mechanics indicates a limitation which directly demands an extension of the principle of relativity to spaces of reference which are not in uniform motion relatively to each other. The ratio of the masses of two bodies is defined in mechanics in two ways which differ from each other fundamentally; in the first place, as the reciprocal ratio of the accelerations which the same motional force imparts to them (inert mass), and in the second place, as the ratio of the forces which act upon them in the same gravitational field (gravitational mass). The equality of these two masses, so differently defined, is a fact which is confirmed by experiments of very high accuracy (experiments of Eötvös), and classical mechanics offers no explanation for this equality. It is, however, clear that science is fully justified in assigning such a numerical equality only after this numerical equality is reduced to an equality of the real nature of the two concepts.

That this object may actually be attained by an extension of the principle of relativity, follows from the following consideration. A little reflection will show that the theorem of the equality of the inert and the gravitational mass is equivalent to the theorem that the acceleration imparted to a body by a gravitational field is independent of the nature of the body. For Newton's equation of motion in a gravitational field, written out in full, is It is only when there is numerical equality between the inert and gravitational mass that the acceleration is independent of the nature of the body. Let now be an inertial system. Masses which are sufficiently far from each other and from other bodies are then, with respect to , free from acceleration. We shall also refer these masses to a system of co-ordinates ' uniformly accelerated with respect to . Relatively to ' all the masses have equal and parallel accelerations; with respect to ' they behave just as if a gravitational field were present and ' were unaccelerated. Overlooking for the present the question as to the "cause" of such a gravitational field, which will occupy us later, there is nothing to prevent our conceiving this gravitational field as real, that is, the conception that ' is "at rest" and a gravitational field is present we may consider as equivalent to the conception that only is an "allowable" system of co-ordinates and no gravitational field is present. The assumption of the complete physical equivalence of the systems of co-ordinates, and ', we call the "principle of equivalence;" this principle is evidently intimately connected with the theorem of the equality between the inert and the gravitational mass, and signifies an extension of the principle of relativity to co-ordinate systems which are in non-uniform motion relatively to each other. In fact, through this conception we arrive at the unity of the nature of inertia and gravitation. For according to our way of looking at it, the same masses may appear to be either under the action of inertia alone (with respect to ) or under the combined action of inertia and gravitation (with respect to '). The possibility of explaining the numerical equality of inertia and gravitation by the unity of their nature gives to the general theory of relativity, according to my conviction, such a superiority over the conceptions of classical mechanics, that all the difficulties encountered in development must be considered as small in comparison.

What justifies us in dispensing with the preference for inertial systems over all other co-ordinate systems, a preference that seems so securely established by experiment based upon the principle of inertia? The weakness of the principle of inertia lies in this, that it involves an argument in a circle: a mass moves without acceleration if it is sufficiently far from other bodies; we know that it is sufficiently far from other bodies only by the fact that it moves without acceleration. Are there, in general, any inertial systems for very extended portions of the space-time continuum, or, indeed, for the whole universe? We may look upon the principle of inertia as established, to a high degree of approximation, for the space of our planetary system, provided that we neglect the perturbations due to the sun and planets. Stated more exactly, there are finite regions, where, with respect to a suitably chosen space of reference, material particles move freely without acceleration, and in which the laws of the special theory of relativity, which have been developed above, hold with remarkable accuracy. Such regions we shall call "Galilean regions." We shall proceed from the consideration of such regions as a special case of known properties.

The principle of equivalence demands that in dealing with Galilean regions we may equally well make use of non-inertial systems, that is, such co-ordinate systems as, relatively to inertial systems, are not free from acceleration and rotation. If, further, we are going to do away completely with the difficult question as to the objective reason for the preference of certain systems of co-ordinates, then we must allow the use of arbitrarily moving systems of co-ordinates. As soon as we make this attempt seriously we come into conflict with that physical interpretation of space and time to which we were led by the special theory of relativity. For let ' be a system of co-ordinates whose '-axis coincides with the -axis of , and which rotates about the latter axis with constant angular velocity. Are the configurations of rigid bodies, at rest relatively to ', in accordance with the laws of Euclidean geometry? Since ' is not an inertial system, we do not know directly the laws of configuration of rigid bodies with respect to ', nor the laws of nature, in general. But we do know these laws with respect to the inertial system , and we can therefore estimate them with respect to '. Imagine a circle drawn about the origin in the plane of ' and a diameter of this circle. Imagine, further, that we have given a large number of rigid rods, all equal to each other. We suppose these laid in series along the periphery and the diameter of the circle, at rest relatively to '. If is the number of these rods along the periphery, the number along the diameter, then, if ' does not rotate relatively to , we shall have But if ' rotates we get a different result. Suppose that at a definite time of we determine the ends of all the rods. With respect to all the rods upon the periphery experience the Lorentz contraction, but the rods upon the diameter do not experience this contraction (along their lengths!).[14] It therefore follows that

It therefore follows that the laws of configuration of rigid bodies with respect to ' do not agree with the laws of configuration of rigid bodies that are in accordance with Euclidean geometry. If, further, we place two similar clocks (rotating with '), one upon the periphery, and the other at the centre of the circle, then, judged from , the clock on the periphery will go slower than the clock at the centre. The same thing must take place, judged from ', if we define time with respect to ' in a not wholly unnatural way, that is, in such a way that the laws with respect to ' depend explicitly upon the time. Space and time, therefore, cannot be defined with respect to ' as they were in the special theory of relativity with respect to inertial systems. But, according to the principle of equivalence, ' is also to be considered as a system at rest, with respect to which there is a gravitational field (field of centrifugal force, and force of Coriolis). We therefore arrive at the result: the gravitational field influences and even determines the metrical laws of the space-time continuum. If the laws of configuration of ideal rigid bodies are to be expressed geometrically, then in the presence of a gravitational field the geometry is not Euclidean.

[14]These considerations assume that the behaviour of rods and clocks depends only upon velocities, and not upon accelerations, or, at least, that the influence of acceleration does not counteract that of velocity.

The case that we have been considering is analogous to that which is presented in the two-dimensional treatment of surfaces. It is impossible in the latter case also, to introduce co-ordinates on a surface (e.g. the surface of an ellipsoid) which have a simple metrical significance, while on a plane the Cartesian co-ordinates, , , signify directly lengths measured by a unit measuring rod. Gauss overcame this difficulty, in his theory of surfaces, by introducing curvilinear co-ordinates which, apart from satisfying conditions of continuity, were wholly arbitrary, and afterwards these co-ordinates were related to the metrical properties of the surface. In an analogous way we shall introduce in the general theory of relativity arbitrary co-ordinates, , , , , which shall number uniquely the space-time points, so that neighbouring events are associated with neighbouring values of the co-ordinates; otherwise, the choice of co-ordinates is arbitrary. We shall be true to the principle of relativity in its broadest sense if we give such a form to the laws that they are valid in every such four-dimensional system of co-ordinates, that is, if the equations expressing the laws are co-variant with respect to arbitrary transformations.

The most important point of contact between Gauss's theory of surfaces and the general theory of relativity lies in the metrical properties upon which the concepts of both theories, in the main, are based. In the case of the theory of surfaces, Gauss's argument is as follows. Plane geometry may be based upon the concept of the distance , between two indefinitely near points. The concept of this distance is physically significant because the distance can be measured directly by means of a rigid measuring rod. By a suitable choice of Cartesian co-ordinates this distance may be expressed by the formula . We may base upon this quantity the concepts of the straight line as the geodesic (), the interval, the circle, and the angle, upon which the Euclidean plane geometry is built. A geometry may be developed upon another continuously curved surface, if we observe that an infinitesimally small portion of the surface may be regarded as plane, to within relatively infinitesimal quantities. There are Cartesian co-ordinates, , , upon such a small portion of the surface, and the distance between two points, measured by a measuring rod, is given by If we introduce arbitrary curvilinear co-ordinates, , , on the surface, then , , may be expressed linearly in terms of , . Then everywhere upon the surface we have where , , are determined by the nature of the surface and the choice of co-ordinates; if these quantities are known, then it is also known how networks of rigid rods may be laid upon the surface. In other words, the geometry of surfaces may be based upon this expression for exactly as plane geometry is based upon the corresponding expression.

There are analogous relations in the four-dimensional space-time continuum of physics. In the immediate neighbourhood of an observer, falling freely in a gravitational field, there exists no gravitational field. We can therefore always regard an infinitesimally small region of the space-time continuum as Galilean. For such an infinitely small region there will be an inertial system (with the space co-ordinates, , , , and the time co-ordinate ) relatively to which we are to regard the laws of the special theory of relativity as valid. The quantity which is directly measurable by our unit measuring rods and clocks, or its negative, is therefore a uniquely determinate invariant for two neighbouring events (points in the four-dimensional continuum), provided that we use measuring rods that are equal to each other when brought together and superimposed, and clocks whose rates are the same when they are brought together. In this the physical assumption is essential that the relative lengths of two measuring rods and the relative rates of two clocks are independent, in principle, of their previous history. But this assumption is certainly warranted by experience; if it did not hold there could be no sharp spectral lines; for the single atoms of the same element certainly do not have the same history, and it would be absurd to suppose any relative difference in the structure of the single atoms due to their previous history if the mass and frequencies of the single atoms of the same element were always the same.

Space-time regions of finite extent are, in general, not Galilean, so that a gravitational field cannot be done away with by any choice of co-ordinates in a finite region. There is, therefore, no choice of co-ordinates for which the metrical relations of the special theory of relativity hold in a finite region. But the invariant always exists for two neighbouring points (events) of the continuum. This invariant may be expressed in arbitrary co-ordinates. If one observes that the local may be expressed linearly in terms of the co-ordinate differentials , may be expressed in the form

The functions describe, with respect to the arbitrarily chosen system of co-ordinates, the metrical relations of the space-time continuum and also the gravitational field. As in the special theory of relativity, we have to discriminate between time-like and space-like line elements in the four-dimensional continuum; owing to the change of sign introduced, time-like line elements have a real, space-like line elements an imaginary . The time-like can be measured directly by a suitably chosen clock.

According to what has been said, it is evident that the formulation of the general theory of relativity assumes a generalization of the theory of invariants and the theory of tensors; the question is raised as to the form of the equations which are co-variant with respect to arbitrary point transformations. The generalized calculus of tensors was developed by mathematicians long before the theory of relativity. Riemann first extended Gauss's train of thought to continua of any number of dimensions; with prophetic vision he saw the physical meaning of this generalization of Euclid's geometry. Then followed the development of the theory in the form of the calculus of tensors, particularly by Ricci and Levi-Civita. This is the place for a brief presentation of the most important mathematical concepts and operations of this calculus of tensors.

We designate four quantities, which are defined as functions of the with respect to every system of co-ordinates, as components, , of a contra-variant vector, if they transform in a change of co-ordinates as the co-ordinate differentials . We therefore have Besides these contra-variant vectors, there are also co-variant vectors. If are the components of a co-variant vector, these vectors are transformed according to the rule The definition of a co-variant vector is chosen in such a way that a co-variant vector and a contra-variant vector together form a scalar according to the scheme, Accordingly, In particular, the derivatives of a scalar , are components of a co-variant vector, which, with the co-ordinate differentials, form the scalar ; we see from this example how natural is the definition of the co-variant vectors.

There are here, also, tensors of any rank, which may have co-variant or contra-variant character with respect to each index; as with vectors, the character is designated by the position of the index. For example, denotes a tensor of the second rank, which is co-variant with respect to the index , and contra-variant with respect to the index . The tensor character indicates that the equation of transformation is

Tensors may be formed by the addition and subtraction of tensors of equal rank and like character, as in the theory of invariants of orthogonal linear substitutions, for example, The proof of the tensor character of depends upon (58).

Tensors may be formed by multiplication, keeping the character of the indices, just as in the theory of invariants of linear orthogonal transformations, for example, The proof follows directly from the rule of transformation.

Tensors may be formed by contraction with respect to two indices of different character, for example, The tensor character of determines the tensor character of . Proof—

The properties of symmetry and skew-symmetry of a tensor with respect to two indices of like character have the same significance as in the theory of invariants.

With this, everything essential has been said with regard to the algebraic properties of tensors.

The Fundamental Tensor. It follows from the invariance of for an arbitrary choice of the , in connexion with the condition of symmetry consistent with (55), that the are components of a symmetrical co-variant tensor (Fundamental Tensor). Let us form the determinant, , of the , and also the minors, divided by , corresponding to the single . These minors, divided by , will be denoted by , and their co-variant character is not yet known. Then we have

If we form the infinitely small quantities (co-variant vectors) multiply by and sum over the , we obtain, by the use of (62), Since the ratios of the , are arbitrary, and the as well as the are components of vectors, it follows that the are the components of a contra-variant tensor[15] (contra-variant fundamental tensor). The tensor character of (mixed fundamental tensor) accordingly follows, by (62). By means of the fundamental tensor, instead of tensors with co-variant index character, we can introduce tensors with contra-variant index character, and conversely. For example,

[15]If we multiply (64) by , sum over the , and replace the by a transformation to the accented system, we obtain The statement made above follows from this, since, by (64), we must also have and both equations must hold for every choice of .

Volume Invariants. The volume element is not an invariant. For by Jacobi's theorem, But we can complement so that it becomes an invariant. If we form the determinant of the quantities we obtain, by a double application of the theorem of multiplication of determinants, We therefore get the invariant,

Formation of Tensors by Differentiation. Although the algebraic operations of tensor formation have proved to be as simple as in the special case of invariance with respect to linear orthogonal transformations, nevertheless in the general case, the invariant differential operations are, unfortunately, considerably more complicated. The reason for this is as follows. If is a contra-variant vector, the coefficients of its transformation, , are independent of position only if the transformation is a linear one. For then the vector components, , at a neighbouring point transform in the same way as the , from which follows the vector character of the vector differentials, and the tensor character of . But if the are variable this is no longer true.

That there are, nevertheless, in the general case, invariant differential operations for tensors, is recognized most satisfactorily in the following way, introduced by Levi-Civita and Weyl. Let () be a contra-variant vector whose components are given with respect to the co-ordinate system of the . Let and be two infinitesimally near points of the continuum. For the infinitesimal region surrounding the point , there is, according to our way of considering the matter, a co-ordinate system of the (with imaginary -co-ordinate) for which the continuum is Euclidean. Let be the co-ordinates of the vector at the point . Imagine a vector drawn at the point , using the local system of the , with the same co-ordinates (parallel vector through ), then this parallel vector is uniquely determined by the vector at and the displacement. We designate this operation, whose uniqueness will appear in the sequel, the parallel displacement of the vector from to the infinitesimally near point . If we form the vector difference of the vector () at the point and the vector obtained by parallel displacement from to , we get a vector which may be regarded as the differential of the vector () for the given displacement .

This vector displacement can naturally also be considered with respect to the co-ordinate system of the . If are the co-ordinates of the vector at , the co-ordinates of the vector displaced to along the interval (), then the do not vanish in this case. We know of these quantities, which do not have a vector character, that they must depend linearly and homogeneously upon the and the . We therefore put

In addition, we can state that the must be symmetrical with respect to the indices and . For we can assume from a representation by the aid of a Euclidean system of local co-ordinates that the same parallelogram will be described by the displacement of an element along a second element as by a displacement of along . We must therefore have The statement made above follows from this, after interchanging the indices of summation, and , on the right-hand side.

Since the quantities determine all the metrical properties of the continuum, they must also determine the . If we consider the invariant of the vector that is, the square of its magnitude, which is an invariant, this cannot change in a parallel displacement. We therefore have or, by (67),

Owing to the symmetry of the expression in the brackets with respect to the indices and , this equation can be valid for an arbitrary choice of the vectors () and only when the expression in the brackets vanishes for all combinations of the indices. By a cyclic interchange of the indices , , , we obtain thus altogether three equations, from which we obtain, on taking into account the symmetrical property of the , in which, following Christoffel, the abbreviation has been used,

If we multiply (68) by and sum over the , we obtain in which is the Christoffel symbol of the second kind. Thus the quantities are deduced from the . Equations (67) and (70) are the foundation for the following discussion.

Co-variant Differentiation of Tensors. If () is the vector resulting from an infinitesimal parallel displacement from to , and () the vector at the point , then the difference of these two, is also a vector. Since this is the case for an arbitrary choice of the , it follows that is a tensor, which we designate as the co-variant derivative of the tensor of the first rank (vector). Contracting this tensor, we obtain the divergence of the contra-variant tensor . In this we must observe that according to (70), If we put, further, a quantity designated by Weyl as the contra-variant tensor density[16] of the first rank, it follows that, is a scalar density.

[16]This expression is justified, in that has a tensor character. Every tensor, when multiplied by , changes into a tensor density. We employ capital Gothic letters for tensor densities.

We get the law of parallel displacement for the co-variant vector by stipulating that the parallel displacement shall be effected in such a way that the scalar remains unchanged, and that therefore vanishes for every value assigned to (). We therefore get

From this we arrive at the co-variant derivative of the co-variant vector by the same process as that which led to (71), By interchanging the indices and , and subtracting, we get the skew-symmetrical tensor,

For the co-variant differentiation of tensors of the second and higher ranks we may use the process by which (75) was deduced. Let, for example, () be a co-variant tensor of the second rank. Then is a scalar, if and are vectors. This expression must not be changed by the -displacement; expressing this by a formula, we get, using (67), , whence we get the desired co-variant derivative,

In order that the general law of co-variant differentiation of tensors may be clearly seen, we shall write down two co-variant derivatives deduced in an analogous way: The general law of formation now becomes evident. From these formulae we shall deduce some others which are of interest for the physical applications of the theory.

In case is skew-symmetrical, we obtain the tensor which is skew-symmetrical in all pairs of indices, by cyclic interchange and addition.

If, in (78), we replace by the fundamental tensor, , then the right-hand side vanishes identically; an analogous statement holds for (80) with respect to ; that is, the co-variant derivatives of the fundamental tensor vanish. That this must be so we see directly in the local system of co-ordinates.

In case is skew-symmetrical, we obtain from (80), by contraction with respect to and ,

In the general case, from (79) and (80), by contraction with respect to and , we obtain the equations,

The Riemann Tensor. If we have given a curve extending from the point to the point of the continuum, then a vector , given at , may, by a parallel displacement, be moved along the curve to . If the continuum is Euclidean (more generally, if by a suitable choice of co-ordinates the , are constants) then the vector obtained at as a result of this displacement does not depend upon the choice of the curve joining and . But otherwise, the result depends upon the path of the displacement.

FIG.4.

In this case, therefore, a vector suffers a change, (in its direction, not its magnitude), when it is carried from a point of a closed curve, along the curve, and back to P. We shall now calculate this vector change: As in Stokes' theorem for the line integral of a vector around a closed curve, this problem may be reduced to the integration around a closed curve with infinitely small linear dimensions; we shall limit ourselves to this case.

We have, first, by (67),

In this, is the value of this quantity at the variable point of the path of integration. If we put and denote the value of at by then we have, with sufficient accuracy,

Let, further, be the value obtained from by a parallel displacement along the curve from to . It may now easily be proved by means of (67) that - is infinitely small of the first order, while, for a curve of infinitely small dimensions of the first order, is infinitely small of the second order. Therefore there is an error of only the second order if we put

If we introduce these values of and into the integral, we obtain, neglecting all quantities of a higher order of small quantities than the second, The quantity removed from under the sign of integration refers to the point . Subtracting from the integrand, we obtain This skew-symmetrical tensor of the second rank, , characterizes the surface element bounded by the curve in magnitude and position. If the expression in the brackets in (85) were skew-symmetrical with respect to the indices and , we could conclude its tensor character from (85). We can accomplish this by interchanging the summation indices and in (85) and adding the resulting equation to (85). We obtain in which

The tensor character of follows from (86); this is the Riemann curvature tensor of the fourth rank, whose properties of symmetry we do not need to go into. Its vanishing is a sufficient condition (disregarding the reality of the chosen co-ordinates) that the continuum is Euclidean.

By contraction of the Riemann tensor with respect to the indices , , we obtain the symmetrical tensor of the second rank, The last two terms vanish if the system of co-ordinates is so chosen that . From , we can form the scalar,

Straightest Geodetic Lines. A line may be constructed in such a way that its successive elements arise from each other by parallel displacements. This is the natural generalization of the straight line of the Euclidean geometry. For such a line, we have The left-hand side is to be replaced by ,[17] so that we have We get the same line if we find the line which gives a stationary value to the integral between two points (geodetic line).

[17]The direction vector at a neighbouring point of the curve results, by a parallel displacement along the line element (), from the direction vector of each point considered.

LECTURE IV

THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
(continued)

WE are now in possession of the mathematical apparatus which is necessary to formulate the laws of the general theory of relativity. No attempt will be made in this presentation at systematic completeness, but single results and possibilities will be developed progressively from what is known and from the results obtained. Such a presentation is most suited to the present provisional state of our knowledge.

A material particle upon which no force acts moves, according to the principle of inertia, uniformly in a straight line. In the four-dimensional continuum of the special theory of relativity (with real time co-ordinate) this is a real straight line. The natural, that is, the simplest, generalization of the straight line which is plausible in the system of concepts of Riemann's general theory of invariants is that of the straightest, or geodetic, line. We shall accordingly have to assume, in the sense of the principle of equivalence, that the motion of a material particle, under the action only of inertia and gravitation, is described by the equation, In fact, this equation reduces to that of a straight line if all the components, , of the gravitational field vanish.

How are these equations connected with Newton's equations of motion? According to the special theory of relativity, the as well as the , have the values, with respect to an inertial system (with real time co-ordinate and suitable choice of the sign of ), The equations of motion then become We shall call this the "first approximation" to the -field. In considering approximations it is often useful, as in the special theory of relativity, to use an imaginary -co-ordinate, as then the . to the first approximation, assume the values These values may be collected in the relation To the second approximation we must then put where the are to be regarded as small of the first order.

Both terms of our equation of motion are then small of the first order. If we neglect terms which, relatively to these, are small of the first order, we have to put We shall now introduce an approximation of a second kind. Let the velocity of the material particles be very small compared to that of light. Then will be the same as the time differential, . Further, , , will vanish compared to . We shall assume, in addition, that the gravitational field varies so little with the time that the derivatives of the by may be neglected. Then the equation of motion (for = 1,2,3) reduces to This equation is identical with Newton's equation of motion for a material particle in a gravitational field, if we identify with the potential of the gravitational field; whether or not this is allowable, naturally depends upon the field equations of gravitation, that is, it depends upon whether or not this quantity satisfies, to a first approximation, the same laws of the field as the gravitational potential in Newton's theory. A glance at (90) and (90a) shows that the actually do play the rôle of the intensity of the gravitational field. These quantities do not have a tensor character.

Equations (90) express the influence of inertia and gravitation upon the material particle. The unity of inertia and gravitation is formally expressed by the fact that the whole left-hand side of (90) has the character of a tensor (with respect to any transformation of co-ordinates), but the two terms taken separately do not have tensor character, so that, in analogy with Newton's equations, the first term would be regarded as the expression for inertia, and the second as the expression for the gravitational force.

We must next attempt to find the laws of the gravitational field. For this purpose, Poisson's equation, of the Newtonian theory must serve as a model. This equation has its foundation in the idea that the gravitational field arises from the density of ponderable matter. It must also be so in the general theory of relativity. But our investigations of the special theory of relativity have shown that in place of the scalar density of matter we have the tensor of energy per unit volume. In the latter is included not only the tensor of the energy of ponderable matter, but also that of the electromagnetic energy. We have seen, indeed, that in a more complete analysis the energy tensor can be regarded only as a provisional means of representing matter. In reality, matter consists of electrically charged particles, and is to be regarded itself as a part, in fact, the principal part, of the electromagnetic field. It is only the circumstance that we have not sufficient knowledge of the electromagnetic field of concentrated charges that compels us, provisionally, to leave undetermined in presenting the theory, the true form of this tensor. From this point of view our problem now is to introduce a tensor, . of the second rank, whose structure we do not know provisionally, and which includes in itself the energy density of the electromagnetic field and of ponderable matter; we shall denote this in the following as the "energy tensor of matter."

According to our previous results, the principles of momentum and energy are expressed by the statement that the divergence of this tensor vanishes (47c). In the general theory of relativity, we shall have to assume as valid the corresponding general co-variant equation. If () denotes the co-variant energy tensor of matter, the corresponding mixed tensor density, then, in accordance with (83), we must require that be satisfied. It must be remembered that besides the energy density of the matter there must also be given an energy density of the gravitational field, so that there can be no talk of principles of conservation of energy and momentum for matter alone. This is expressed mathematically by the presence of the second term in (95), which makes it impossible to conclude the existence of an integral equation of the form of (49). The gravitational field transfers energy and momentum to the "matter," in that it exerts forces upon it and gives it energy; this is expressed by the second term in (95).

If there is an analogue of Poisson's equation in the general theory of relativity, then this equation must be a tensor equation for the tensor of the gravitational potential; the energy tensor of matter must appear on the right-hand side of this equation. On the left-hand side of the equation there must be a differential tensor in the . We have to find this differential tensor. It is completely determined by the following three conditions:—

1. It may contain no differential coefficients of the higher than the second.

2. It must be linear and homogeneous in these second differential coefficients.

3. Its divergence must vanish identically.

The first two of these conditions are naturally taken from Poisson's equation. Since it may be proved mathematically that all such differential tensors can be formed algebraically (i.e. without differentiation) from Riemann's tensor, our tensor must be of the form in which and are defined by (88) and (89) respectively. Further, it may be proved that the third condition requires a to have the value . For the law of the gravitational field we therefore get the equation Equation (95) is a consequence of this equation. denotes a constant, which is connected with the Newtonian gravitation constant.

In the following I shall indicate the features of the theory which are interesting from the point of view of physics, using as little as possible of the rather involved mathematical method. It must first be shown that the divergence of the left-hand side actually vanishes. The energy principle for matter may be expressed, by (83), in which The analogous operation, applied to the left-hand side of (96), will lead to an identity.

In the region surrounding each world-point there are systems of co-ordinates for which, choosing the -co-ordinate imaginary, at the given point, and for which the first derivatives of the and the vanish. We shall verify the vanishing of the divergence of the left-hand side at this point. At this point the components vanish, so that we have to prove the vanishing only of Introducing (88) and (70) into this expression, we see that the only terms that remain are those in which third derivatives of the enter. Since the are to be replaced by , we obtain, finally, only a few terms which may easily be seen to cancel each other. Since the quantity that we have formed has a tensor character, its vanishing is proved for every other system of co-ordinates also, and naturally for every other four-dimensional point. The energy principle of matter (97) is thus a mathematical consequence of the field equations (96).

In order to learn whether the equations (96) are consistent with experience, we must, above all else, find out whether they lead to the Newtonian theory as a first approximation. For this purpose we must introduce various approximations into these equations. We already know that Euclidean geometry and the law of the constancy of the velocity of light are valid, to a certain approximation, in regions of a great extent, as in the planetary system. If, as in the special theory of relativity, we take the fourth co-ordinate imaginary, this means that we must put in which the are so small compared to 1 that we can neglect the higher powers of the and their derivatives. If we do this, we learn nothing about the structure of the gravitational held, or of metrical space of cosmical dimensions, but we do learn about the influence of neighbouring masses upon physical phenomena.

Before carrying through this approximation we shall transform (96). We multiply (96) by , summed over the and observing the relation which follows from the definition of the , we obtain the equation If we put this value of in (96) we obtain When the approximation which has been mentioned is carried out, we obtain for the left-hand side, or in which has been put

We must now note that equation (96) is valid for any system of co-ordinates. We have already specialized the system of co-ordinates in that we have chosen it so that within the region considered the differ infinitely little from the constant values . But this condition remains satisfied in any infinitesimal change of co-ordinates, so that there are still four conditions to which the may be subjected, provided these conditions do not conflict with the conditions for the order of magnitude of the . We shall now assume that the system of co-ordinates is so chosen that the four relations— are satisfied. Then (96a) takes the form These equations may be solved by the method, familiar in electrodynamics, of retarded potentials; we get, in an easily understood notation,

In order to see in what sense this theory contains the Newtonian theory, we must consider in greater detail the energy tensor of matter. Considered phenomenologically, this energy tensor is composed of that of the electromagnetic field and of matter in the narrower sense. If we consider the different parts of this energy tensor with respect to their order of magnitude, it follows from the results of the special theory of relativity that the contribution of the electromagnetic field practically vanishes in comparison to that of ponderable matter. In our system of units, the energy of one gram of matter is equal to 1, compared to which the energy of the electric fields may be ignored, and also the energy of deformation of matter, and even the chemical energy. We get an approximation that is fully sufficient for our purpose if we put In this, is the density at rest, that is, the density of the ponderable matter, in the ordinary sense, measured with the aid of a unit measuring rod, and referred to a Galilean system of co-ordinates moving with the matter.

We observe, further, that in the co-ordinates we have chosen, we shall make only a relatively small error if we replace the by , so that we put

The previous developments are valid however rapidly the masses which generate the field may move relatively to our chosen system of quasi-Galilean co-ordinates. But in astronomy we have to do with masses whose velocities, relatively to the co-ordinate system employed, are always small compared to the velocity of light, that is, small compared to 1, with our choice of the unit of time. We therefore get an approximation which is sufficient for nearly all practical purposes if in (101) we replace the retarded potential by the ordinary (non-retarded) potential, and if, for the masses which generate the field, we put Then we get for and the values For we get the value , and, finally, for the values,

We thus get, from (101), while all the other , vanish. The least of these equations, in connexion with equation (90a), contains Newton's theory of gravitation. If we replace by we get We see that the Newtonian gravitation constant , is connected with the constant that enters into our field equations by the relation From the known numerical value of , it therefore follows that From (101) we see that even in the first approximation the structure of the gravitational field differs fundamentally from that which is consistent with the Newtonian theory; this difference lies in the fact that the gravitational potential has the character of a tensor and not a scalar. This was not recognized in the past because only the component , to a first approximation, enters the equations of motion of material particles.

In order now to be able to judge the behaviour of measuring rods and clocks from our results, we must observe the following. According to the principle of equivalence, the metrical relations of the Euclidean geometry are valid relatively to a Cartesian system of reference of infinitely small dimensions, and in a suitable state of motion (freely falling, and without rotation). We can make the same statement for local systems of co-ordinates which, relatively to these, have small accelerations, and therefore for such systems of co-ordinates as are at rest relatively to the one we have selected. For such a local system, we have, for two neighbouring point events, where is measured directly by a measuring rod and by a clock at rest relatively to the system; these are the naturally measured lengths and times. Since , on the other hand, is known in terms of the co-ordinates employed in finite regions, in the form we have the possibility of getting the relation between naturally measured lengths and times, on the one hand, and the corresponding differences of co-ordinates, on the other hand. As the division into space and time is in agreement with respect to the two systems of co-ordinates, so when we equate the two expressions for we get two relations. If, by (101a), we put we obtain, to a sufficiently close approximation,

The unit measuring rod has therefore the length, in respect to the system of co-ordinates we have selected. The particular system of co-ordinates we have selected insures that this length shall depend only upon the place, and not upon the direction. If we had chosen a different system of co-ordinates this would not be so. But however we may choose a system of co-ordinates, the laws of configuration of rigid rods do not agree with those of Euclidean geometry; in other words, we cannot choose any system of co-ordinates so that the co-ordinate differences, , , , corresponding to the ends of a unit measuring rod, oriented in any way, shall always satisfy the relation . In this sense space is not Euclidean, but "curved." It follows from the second of the relations above that the interval between two beats of the unit clock ( = 1) corresponds to the "time" in the unit used in our system of co-ordinates. The rate of a clock is accordingly slower the greater is the mass of the ponderable matter in its neighbourhood. We therefore conclude that spectral lines which are produced on the sun's surface will be displaced towards the red, compared to the corresponding lines produced on the earth, by about 2 • 10-6 of their wave-lengths. At first, this important consequence of the theory appeared to conflict with experiment; but results obtained during the past year seem to make the existence of this effect more probable, and it can hardly be doubted that this consequence of the theory will be confirmed within the next year.

Another important consequence of the theory, which can be tested experimentally, has to do with the path of rays of light. In the general theory of relativity also the velocity of light is everywhere the same, relatively to a local inertial system. This velocity is unity in our natural measure of time. The law of the propagation of light in general co-ordinates is therefore, according to the general theory of relativity, characterized, by the equation To within the approximation which we are using, and in the system of co-ordinates which we have selected, the velocity of light is characterized, according to (106), by the equation The velocity of light , is therefore expressed in our co-ordinates by We can therefore draw the conclusion from this, that a ray of light passing near a large mass is deflected. If we imagine the sun, of mass concentrated at the origin of our system of co-ordinates, then a ray of fight, travelling parallel to the -axis. in the plane, at a distance from the origin, will be deflected, in all, by an amount towards the sun. On performing the integration we get

The existence of this deflection, which amounts to 1.7'' for equal to the radius of the sun, was confirmed, with remarkable accuracy, by the English Solar Eclipse Expedition in 1919, and most careful preparations have been made to get more exact observational data at the solar eclipse in 1922. It should be noted that this result, also, of the theory is not influenced by our arbitrary choice of a system of co-ordinates.

This is the place to speak of the third consequence of the theory which can be tested by observation, namely, that which concerns the motion of the perihelion of the planet Mercury. The secular changes in the planetary orbits are known with such accuracy that the approximation we have been using is no longer sufficient for a comparison of theory and observation. It is necessary to go back to the general field equations (96). To solve this problem I made use of the method of successive approximations. Since then, however, the problem of the central symmetrical statical gravitational field has been completely solved by Schwarzschild and others; the derivation given by H. Weyl in his book, "Raum-Zeit-Materie," is particularly elegant. The calculation can be simplified somewhat if we do not go back directly to the equation (96), but base it upon a principle of variation that is equivalent to this equation. I shall indicate the procedure only in so far as is necessary for understanding the method.

In the case of a statical field, must have the form where the summation on the right-hand side of the last equation is to be extended over the space variables only. The central symmetry of the field requires the , to be of the form, , and are functions of only. One of these three functions can be chosen arbitrarily, because our system of co-ordinates is, a priori, completely arbitrary; for by a substitution we can always insure that one of these three functions shall be an assigned function of '. In place of (110) we can therefore put, without limiting the generality,

In this way the are expressed in terms of the two quantities and . These are to be determined as functions of , by introducing them into equation (96), after first calculating the from (109) and (110a). We have

With the help of these results, the field equations furnish Schwarzschild's solution: in which we have put
denotes the sun's mass, centrally symmetrically placed about the origin of co-ordinates; the solution (109) is valid only outside of this mass, where all the vanish. If the motion of the planet takes place in the plane then we must replace (109a) by

The calculation of the planetary motion depends upon equation (90). From the first of equations (110b) and (90) we get, for the indices 1, 2, 3, or, if we integrate, and express the result in polar co-ordinates,

From (90), for = 4, we get From this, after multiplication by and integration, we have

In (109c), (111) and (112) we have three equations between the four variables , , and , from which the motion of the planet may be calculated in the same way as in classical mechanics. The most important result we get from this is a secular rotation of the elliptic orbit of the planet in the same sense as the revolution of the planet, amounting in radians per revolution to where This expression furnishes the explanation of the motion of the perihelion of the planet Mercury, which has been known for a hundred years (since Leverrier), and for which theoretical astronomy has hitherto been unable satisfactorily to account.

There is no difficulty in expressing Maxwell's theory of the electromagnetic field in terms of the general theory of relativity; this is done by application of the tensor formation (81), (82) and (77). Let be a tensor of the first rank, to be denoted as an electromagnetic 4-potential; then an electromagnetic field tensor may be defined by the relations, The second of Maxwell's systems of equations is then defined by the tensor equation, resulting from this, and the first of Maxwell's systems of equations is defined by the tensor-density relation in which If we introduce the energy tensor of the electromagnetic field into the right-hand side of (96), we obtain (115), for the special case = 0, as a consequence of (96) by taking the divergence. This inclusion of the theory of electricity in the scheme of the general theory of relativity has been considered arbitrary and unsatisfactory by many theoreticians. Nor can we in this way conceive of the equilibrium of the electricity which constitutes the elementary electrically charged particles. A theory in which the gravitational field and the electromagnetic field enter as an essential entity would be much preferable. H. Weyl, and recently Th. Kaluza, have discovered some ingenious theorems along this direction; but concerning them, I am convinced that they do not bring us nearer to the true solution of the fundamental problem. I shall not go into this further, but shall give a brief discussion of the so-called cosmological problem, for without this, the considerations regarding the general theory of relativity would, in a certain sense, remain unsatisfactory.

Our previous considerations, based upon the field equations (96), had for a foundation the conception that space on the whole is Galilean-Euclidean, and that this character is disturbed only by masses embedded in it. This conception was certainly justified as long as we were dealing with spaces of the order of magnitude of those that astronomy has to do with. But whether portions of the universe, however large they may be, are quasi-Euclidean, is a wholly different question. We can make this clear by using an example from the theory of surfaces which we have employed many times. If a portion of a surface is observed by the eye to be practically plane, it does not at all follow that the whole surface has the form of a plane; the surface might just as well be a sphere, for example, of sufficiently large radius. The question as to whether the universe as a whole is non-Euclidean was much discussed from the geometrical point of view before the development of the theory of relativity. But with the theory of relativity, this problem has entered upon a new stage, for according to this theory the geometrical properties of bodies are not independent, but depend upon the distribution of masses.

If the universe were quasi-Euclidean, then Mach was wholly wrong in his thought that inertia, as well as gravitation, depends upon a kind of mutual action between bodies. For in this case, with a suitably selected system of co-ordinates, the would be constant at infinity, as they are in the special theory of relativity, while within finite regions the would differ from these constant values by small amounts only, with a suitable choice of co-ordinates, as a result of the influence of the masses in finite regions. The physical properties of space would not then be wholly independent, that is, uninfluenced by matter, but in the main they would be, and only in small measure, conditioned by matter. Such a dualistic conception is even in itself not satisfactory; there are, however, some important physical arguments against it, which we shall consider.

The hypothesis that the universe is infinite and Euclidean at infinity, is, from the relativistic point of view, a complicated hypothesis. In the language of the general theory of relativity it demands that the Riemann tensor of the fourth rank shall vanish at infinity, which furnishes twenty independent conditions, while only ten curvature components , enter into the laws of the gravitational field. It is certainly unsatisfactory to postulate such a far-reaching limitation without any physical basis for it.

But in the second place, the theory of relativity makes it appear probable that Mach was on the right road in his thought that inertia depends upon a mutual action of matter. For we shall show in the following that, according to our equations, inert masses do act upon each other in the sense of the relativity of inertia, even if only very feebly. What is to be expected along the line of Mach's thought?

1. The inertia of a body must increase when ponderable masses are piled up in its neighbourhood.

2. A body must experience an accelerating force when neighbouring masses are accelerated, and, in fact, the force must be in the same direction as the acceleration.

3. A rotating hollow body must generate inside of itself a "Coriolis field," which deflects moving bodies in the sense of the rotation, and a radial centrifugal field as well.

We shall now show that these three effects, which are to be expected in accordance with Mach's ideas, are actually present according to our theory, although their magnitude is so small that confirmation of them by laboratory experiments is not to be thought of. For this purpose we shall go back to the equations of motion of a material particle (90), and carry the approximations somewhat further than was done in equation (90a).

First, we consider as small of the first order. The square of the velocity of masses moving under the influence of the gravitational force is of the same order, according to the energy equation. It is therefore logical to regard the velocities of the material particles we are considering, as well as the velocities of the masses which generate the field, as small, of the order . We shall now carry out the approximation in the equations that arise from the field equations (101) and the equations of motion (90) so far as to consider terms, in the second member of (90), that are linear in those velocities. Further, we shall not put and equal to each other, but, corresponding to the higher approximation, we shall put From (90) we obtain, at first,

From (101) we get, to the approximation sought for, in which, in (117), and denote the space indices only.

On the right-hand side of (116) we can replace 1 + by 1 and by . It is easy to see, in addition, that to this degree of approximation we must put in which , and denote space indices. We therefore obtain from (116), in the usual vector notation,

The equations of motion, (118), show now, in fact, that

1. The inert mass is proportional to 1 + and therefore increases when ponderable masses approach the test body.

2. There is an inductive action of accelerated masses, of the same sign, upon the test body. This is the term .

3. A material particle, moving perpendicularly to the axis of rotation inside a rotating hollow body, is deflected in the sense of the rotation (Coriolis field). The centrifugal action, mentioned above, inside a rotating hollow body, also follows from the theory, as has been shown by Thirring.[18]

[18]That the centrifugal action must be inseparably connected with the existence of the Coriolis field may be recognized, even without calculation, in the special case of a co-ordinate system rotating uniformly relatively to an inertial system; our general co-variant equations naturally must apply to such a case.

Although all of these effects are inaccessible to experiment, because is so small, nevertheless they certainly exist according to the general theory of relativity. We must see in them a strong support for Mach's ideas as to the relativity of all inertial actions. If we think these ideas consistently through to the end we must expect the whole inertia, that is, the whole -field, to be determined by the matter of the universe, and not mainly by the boundary conditions at infinity.

For a satisfactory conception of the -field of cosmical dimensions, the fact seems to be of significance that the relative velocity of the stars is small compared to the velocity of light. It follows from this that, with a suitable choice of co-ordinates, is nearly constant in the universe, at least, in that part of the universe in which there is matter. The assumption appears natural, moreover, that there are stars in all parts of the universe, so that we may well assume that the inconstancy of depends only upon the circumstance that matter is not distributed continuously, but is concentrated in single celestial bodies and systems of bodies. If we are willing to ignore these more local non-uniformities of the density of matter and of the -field, in order to learn something of the geometrical properties of the universe as a whole, it appears natural to substitute for the actual distribution of masses a continuous distribution, and furthermore to assign to this distribution a uniform density . In this imagined universe all points with space directions will be geometrically equivalent; with respect to its space extension it will have a constant curvature, and will be cylindrical with respect to its -co-ordinate. The possibility seems to be particularly satisfying that the universe is spatially bounded and thus, in accordance with our assumption of the constancy of , is of constant curvature, being either spherical or elliptical; for then the boundary conditions at infinity which are so inconvenient from the standpoint of the general theory of relativity, may be replaced by the much more natural conditions for a closed surface.

According to what has been said, we are to put in which the indices and run from 1 to 3 only. The will be such functions of , , as correspond to a three-dimensional continuum of constant positive curvature. We must now investigate whether such an assumption can satisfy the field equations of gravitation.

In order to be able to investigate this, we must first find what differential conditions the three-dimensional manifold of constant curvature satisfies. A spherical manifold of three dimensions, embedded in a Euclidean continuum of four dimensions,[19] is given by the equations By eliminating , we get

[19]The aid of a fourth space dimension has naturally no significance except that of a mathematical artifice.

As far as terms of the third and higher degrees in the , we can put, in the neighbourhood of the origin of co-ordinates,

Inside the brackets are the of the manifold in the neighbourhood of the origin. Since the first derivatives of the , and therefore also the , vanish at the origin, the calculation of the for this manifold, by (88), is very simple at the origin. We have

Since the relation is universally co-variant, and since all points of the manifold are geometrically equivalent, this relation holds for every system of co-ordinates, and everywhere in the manifold. In order to avoid confusion with the four-dimensional continuum, we shall, in the following, designate quantities that refer to the three-dimensional continuum by Greek letters, and put

We now proceed to apply the field equations (96) to our special case. From (119) we get for the four-dimensional manifold,

For the right-hand side of (96) we have to consider the energy tensor for matter distributed like a cloud of dust. According to what has gone before we must therefore put specialized for the case of rest. But in addition, we shall add a pressure term that may be physically established as follows. Matter consists of electrically charged particles. On the basis of Maxwell's theory these cannot be conceived of as electromagnetic fields free from singularities. In order to be consistent with the facts, it is necessary to introduce energy terms, not contained in Maxwell's theory, so that the single electric particles may hold together in spite of the mutual repulsions between their elements, charged with electricity of one sign. For the sake of consistency with this fact, Poincaré has assumed a pressure to exist inside these particles which balances the electrostatic repulsion. It cannot, however, be asserted that this pressure vanishes outside the particles. We shall be consistent with this circumstance if, in our phenomenological presentation, we add a pressure term. This must not, however, be confused with a hydrodynamical pressure, as it serves only for the energetic presentation of the dynamical relations inside matter. In this sense we put

In our special case we have, therefore, to put Observing that the field equation (96) may be written in the form we get from (96) the equations, From this follows

If the universe is quasi-Euclidean, and its radius of curvature therefore infinite, then σ would vanish. But it is improbable that the mean density of matter in the universe is actually zero; this is our third argument against the assumption that the universe is quasi-Euclidean. Nor does it seem possible that our hypothetical pressure can vanish; the physical nature of this pressure can be appreciated only after we have a better theoretical knowledge of the electromagnetic field. According to the second of equations (123) the radius, , of the universe is determined in terms of the total mass, , of matter, by the equation The complete dependence of the geometrical upon the physical properties becomes clearly apparent by means of this equation.

Thus we may present the following arguments against the conception of a space-infinite, and for the conception of a space-bounded, universe:—

1. From the standpoint of the theory of relativity, the condition for a closed surface is very much simpler than the corresponding boundary condition at infinity of the quasi-Euclidean structure of the universe.

2. The idea that Mach expressed, that inertia depends upon the mutual action of bodies, is contained, to a first approximation, in the equations of the theory of relativity; it follows from these equations that inertia depends, at least in part, upon mutual actions between masses. As it is an unsatisfactory assumption to make that inertia depends in part upon mutual actions, and in part upon an independent property of space, Mach's idea gains in probability. But this idea of Mach's corresponds only to a finite universe, bounded in space, and not to a quasi-Euclidean, infinite universe. From the standpoint of epistemology it is more satisfying to have the mechanical properties of space completely determined by matter, and this is the case only in a space-bounded universe.

3. An infinite universe is possible only if the mean density of matter in the universe vanishes. Although such an assumption is logically possible, it is less probable than the assumption that there is a finite mean density of matter in the universe.

INDEX

A

Accelerated masses, inductive
action of, 108
Addition and subtraction of
tensors, 14
—theorem of velocities, 38

B

Biot-Savart force, 44

C

Centrifugal force, 64
Clocks, moving, 38
Compressible viscous fluid, 22
Concept of space, 3
—time, 28
Conditions of orthogonality, 7
Congruence, theorems of, 3
Conservation principles, 54
Continuum, four-dimensional, 31
Contraction of tensors, 14
Contra-variant vectors, 69
—tensors, 71
Co-ordinates, preferred systems
of, 8
Co-variance of equation of
continuity, 21
Co-variant, 12 et seq.
—vector, 68
Criticism of principle of inertia, 62
Criticisms of theory of
relativity, 29
Curvilinear co-ordinates, 65

D

Differentiation of tensors, 73, 76
Displacement of spectral lines, 97

E

Energy and mass, 45, 49
—tensor of electromagnetic
field, 50
—of matter, 54
Equation of continuity, co-variance
of, 21
Equations of motion of material
particle, 50
Equivalence of mass and
energy, 49
Equivalent spaces of reference, 25
Euclidean geometry, 4

F

Finiteness of universe, 105
Fizeau, 28
Four-dimensional continuum, 31
Four-vector, 41
Fundamental tensor, 71

G

Galilean regions, 62
—transformation, 27
Gauss, 65
Geodetic lines, 82
Geometry, Euclidean, 4
Gravitation constant, 95
Gravitational mass, 60

H

Homogeneity of space, 17
Hydrodynamical equations, 54
Hypotheses of pre-relativity
physics, 73

I

Inductive action of accelerated
masses, 108
Inert and gravitational mass, equality
of, 60
Invariant, 9 et seq.
Isotropy of space, 17

K

Kaluza, 104

L

Levi-Civita, 73
Light-cone, 41
Light ray, path of, 98
Light-time, 33
Linear orthogonal
transformation, 7
Lorentz electromotive force, 44
—transformation, 31

M

Mach, 59, 105, 106, 109, 114
Mass and Energy, 45, 49
—equality of gravitational and
inert, 60
—gravitational, 60
Maxwell's equations, 23
Mercury, perihelion of, 99, 103
Michelson and Morley, 28
Minkowski, 32
Motion of particle, equations of, 50
Moving measuring rods and
clocks, 38
Multiplication of tensors, 14

N

Newtonian gravitation
constant, 95

O

Operations on tensors, 13 et seq.
Orthogonal transformations, linear, 7
Orthogonality, conditions of, 7

P

Path of light ray, 98
Perihelion of Mercury, 99, 103
Poisson's equation, 87
Preferred systems of
co-ordinates, 8
Pre-relativity physics, hypotheses
of, 26
Principle of equivalence, 61
—inertia, criticism of, 62
Principles of conservation, 54

R

Radius of Universe, 113
Rank of tensor, 13
Ray of light, path of, 98
Reference, space of, 3
Riemann, 68
—tensor, 79, 82, 105
Rods (measuring) and clocks in
motion, 38
Rotation, 63

S

Simultaneity, 17, 29
Sitter, 28
Skew-symmetrical tensor, 15
Solar Eclipse expedition (1919), 99
Space, concept of, 2
—Homogeneity of, 17
—Isotropy of, 17
Spaces of reference, 3
—equivalence of, 25
Special Lorentz transformation, 34
Spectral lines, displacement of, 97
Straightest lines, 82
Stress tensor, 22
Symmetrical tensor, 15
Systems of co-ordinates,
preferred, 8

T

Tensor, 12 et seq., 68 et seq.
—Addition and subtraction of, 14
—Contraction of, 14
—Fundamental, 71
—Multiplication of, 14
—operations, 13 et seq.
—Rank of, 13
—Symmetrical and
Skew-symmetrical, 15
Tensors, formation by
differentiation, 73
Theorem for addition of
velocities, 38
Theorems of congruence, 3
Theory of relativity, criticisms
of, 29
Thirring, 109
Time-concept, 28
Time-space concept, 31
Transformation, Galilean, 27
—Linear orthogonal, 7

U

Universe, Finiteness of, 105
—Radius of, 113

V

Vector, co-variant, 69
—contra-variant, 69
Velocities, addition theorem of, 38
Viscous compressible fluid, 22

W

Weyl, 73, 99, 104

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Table of Contents

- THE MEANING OF RELATIVITY
- CONTENTS
- THE MEANING OF RELATIVITY

- LECTURE I: SPACE AND TIME IN PRE-RELATIVITY PHYSICS

- LECTURE II: THE THEORY OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY

- LECTURE III: THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY

- LECTURE IV: THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY

- INDEX

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE