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Einstein’s Miraculous Argument of 1905

Einstein’s Miraculous Argument of 1905. John D. Norton Department of History and Philosophy of Science Center for Philosophy of Science University of Pittsburgh. Win $$ from your friends…. Q. For which work, published in 1905, was Albert Einstein awarded his doctoral degree?.

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Einstein’s Miraculous Argument of 1905

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  1. Einstein’s Miraculous Argument of 1905 • John D. Norton • Department of History and Philosophy of Science • Center for Philosophy of Science • University of Pittsburgh

  2. Win $$ from your friends… Q. For which work, published in 1905, was Albert Einstein awarded his doctoral degree?

  3. Warm UpThe Papers of Einstein’s Year of Miracles, 1905

  4. "Light quantum/photoelectric effect paper" "On a heuristic viewpoint concerning the production and transformation of light." Annalen der Physik, 17(1905), pp. 132-148.(17 March 1905) 1 Einstein inferred from the thermal properties of high frequency heat radiation that it behaves thermodynamically as if constituted of spatially localized, independent quanta of energy. Einstein's doctoral dissertation "A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions" Buchdruckerei K. J. Wyss, Bern, 1905. (30 April 1905) Also: Annalen der Physik, 19(1906), pp. 289-305. Einstein used known physical properties of sugar solution (viscosity, diffusion) to determine the size of sugar molecules. The Papers of 1905 2 Einstein predicted that the thermal energy of small particles would manifest as a jiggling motion, visible under the microscope. "Brownian motion paper." "On the motion of small particles suspended in liquids at rest required by the molecular-kinetic theory of heat." Annalen der Physik, 17(1905), pp. 549-560.(May 1905; received 11 May 1905) 3 4 Maintaining the principle of relativity in electrodynamics requires a new theory of space and time. Special relativity “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies,” Annalen der Physik, 17 (1905), pp. 891-921. (June 1905; received 30 June, 1905) E=mc2 “Does the Inertia of a Body Depend upon its Energy Content?” Annalen der Physik, 18(1905), pp. 639-641. (September 1905; received 27 September, 1905) Changing the energy of a body changes its inertia in accord with E=mc2. 5

  5. Einstein to Conrad Habicht 18th or 25th May 1905

  6. Einstein’s assessment of his light quantum paper. “…and is very revolutionary” …So, what are you up to, you frozen whale, you smoked, dried, canned piece of sole…? …Why have you still not sent me your dissertation? …Don't you know that I am one of the 1.5 fellows who would read it with interest and pleasure, you wretched man? I promise you four papers in return… The [first] paper deals with radiation and the energy properties of light and is very revolutionary, as you will see if you send me your work first. The second paper is a determination of the true sizes of atoms from the diffusion and the viscosity of dilute solutions of neutral substances. The third proves that, on the assumption of the molecular kinetic theory of heat, bodies on the order of magnitude 1/1000 mm, suspended in liquids, must already perform an observable random motion that is produced by thermal motion;… The fourth paper is only a rough draft at this point, and is an electrodynamics of moving bodies which employs a modification of the theory of space and time; the purely kinematical part of this paper will surely interest you.

  7. Advances the molecular kinetic program of Maxwell and Boltzmann. Establishes the real significance of the Lorentz covariance of Maxwell’s electrodynamics. Light energy has momentum; extend to all forms of energy. Why is only the light quantum“very revolutionary”? All the rest develop or complete 19th century physics. Einstein's doctoral dissertation "A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions" Buchdruckerei K. J. Wyss, Bern, 1905. (30 April 1905) Also: Annalen der Physik, 19(1906), pp. 289-305. 2 "Brownian motion paper." "On the motion of small particles suspended in liquids at rest required by the molecular-kinetic theory of heat." Annalen der Physik, 17(1905), pp. 549-560.(May 1905; received 11 May 1905) 3 4 Special relativity “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies,” Annalen der Physik, 17 (1905), pp. 891-921. (June 1905; received 30 June, 1905) E=mc2 “Does the Inertia of a Body Depend upon its Energy Content?” Annalen der Physik, 18(1905), pp. 639-641. (September 1905; received 27 September, 1905) 5

  8. Well, not always. "Monochromatic radiation of low density behaves--as long as Wien's radiation formula is valid [i.e. at high values of frequency/temperature]--in a thermodynamic sense, as if it consisted of mutually independent energy quanta of magnitude [h]." Einstein’s light quantum paper initiated a reappraisal of the physical constitution of light that is not resolved over 100 years later. Why is only the light quantum“very revolutionary”? All the rest develop or complete 19th century physics. The great achievements of 19th century physics: •The wave theory of light; Newton’s corpuscular theory fails. •Maxwell’s electrodynamic and its development and perfection by Hertz, Lorentz… •The synthesis: light waves just are electromagnetic waves.

  9. Goalsof this presentation

  10. The content of Einstein’s discovery was quite unanticipated: High frequency light energy exists in • spatially independent, • spatially localized points. The method of Einstein’s discovery was familiar and secure. Einstein’s research program in statistical physics from first publication of 1901: How can we infer the microscopic properties of matter from its macroscopic properties? Historical-methodological… The statistical papers of 1905: the analysis of thermal systems consisting of • spatially independent • spatially localized, points. (Dilute sugar solutions, Small particles in suspension)

  11. If…. If we locate Einstein’s light quantum paper against the background of his work in statistical physics, its methods are an inspired variation of ones repeated used and proven effective in other contexts on very similar problems. If we locate Einstein’s light quantum paper against the background of electrodynamic theory, its claims are so far beyond bold as to be foolhardy.

  12. Foundational… Why we need atoms and not just ordinary thermodynamics. Einstein’s visceral mastery of fluctuations. How to compute fluctuations. “Boltzmann’s Principle.” The thermodynamics of fluctuating, few component systems.

  13. Einstein’s Early Program in Statistical Physics

  14. Einstein’s first two “worthless” papers Einstein to Stark, 7 Dec 1907, “…I am sending you all my publications excepting my two worthless beginner’s works…” “Conclusions drawn from the phenomenon of Capillarity,” Annalen der Physik, 4(1901), pp. 513-523. “On the thermodynamic theory of the difference in potentials between metals and fully dissociated solutions of their salts and on an electrical method for investigating molecular forces,” Annalen der Physik, 8(1902), pp. 798-814.

  15. From macroscopic properties of capillarity and electrochemical potentials infer coefficients in the microscopic force law. Equilibration of osmotic pressure by a field instead of a semi-permeable membrane was a device Einstein used repeatedly but casually in 1905, but had been introduced with great caution and ceremony in his 1902 “Potentials” paper. Einstein’s first two “worthless” papers Einstein’s hypothesis: Forces between molecules at distance r apart are governed by a potential P satisfying P = P - cc(r) for constants cand c characteristic of the two molecules and universal function (r).

  16. Independent Discovery of the Gibbs Framework 3 papers 1902-1904 Einstein, Albert. 'Kinetische Theorie des Waermegleichgewichtes und des zweiten Hauptsatzes der Thermodynamik'. Annalen der Physik, 9 (1902)

  17. Independent Discovery of the Gibbs Framework 3 papers 1902-1904 Einstein, Albert. 'Eine Theorie der Grundlagen der Thermodynamik'. Annalen der Physik, 9 (1903)

  18. Independent Discovery of the Gibbs Framework 3 papers 1902-1904 Einstein, Albert. 'Zur allgemeinen molekularen Theorie der Waerme'. Annalen der Physik, 14 (1904)

  19. The Hidden Gem

  20. Einstein’s Fluctuation Formula Any canonically distributed system Variance of energy from mean Heat capacity is macroscopically measureable. (1904)

  21. Applied to an Ideal Gas Ideal monatomic gas, n molecules rms deviation of energy from mean n=1024…. negligible n=1

  22. In 1904, no one had any solid idea of the constitution of heat radiation! Applied to heat radiation Volume V of heat radiation (Stefan-Boltzmann law) rms deviation of energy from mean Hence estimate volume V in which fluctuations are of the size of the mean energy. (1904)

  23. Einstein’s Doctoral Dissertation"A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions”

  24. Apparent viscosity m* =viscosity m of pure water x (1 + fraction of volume taken by sugar j) • = (r/m) N (4p/3) P 3 • = sugar density in the solution m = molecular weight of sugar How big are molecules?= How many fit into a gram mole? = Loschmidt’s number N Find out by determining how the presence of sugar molecules in dilute solutions increases the viscosity of water. The sugar obstructs the flow and makes the water seem thicker. After a long and very hard calculation… And after very many special assumptions… Well, not quite. Einstein made a mistake in the calculation. The correct result is m* = m (1 + 5/2 j) The examiners did not notice. Einstein passed and was awarded the PhD. He later corrected the mistake. P = radius of sugar molecule, idealized as a sphere

  25. All measurable quantities P = radius of molecule. Unknown! The rate of diffusion of sugar in water is fixed by the measurable diffusion coefficient D. Einstein shows: N = (RT/6pm D) x 1/P All measurable quantities TWO equations in TWO unknowns. Recovering N Turning the expression for apparent viscosity inside out: N = (3m/ 4pr) x (m*/m - 1) x 1/P 3 ONE equation in TWO unknowns. Einstein needs another equation. Einstein determined N = 2.1 x 10 23 After later correction for his calculation error N = 6.6 x 10 23

  26. The statistical physics of dilute sugar solutions Sugar in dilute solution consists of a fixed, large number of component molecules that do not interact with each other. Hence they can be treated by exactly the same analysis as an ideal gas! Sugar in dilute solution exerts an osmotic pressure P that obeys the ideal gas law PV = nkT Dilute sugar solution in a gravitational field.

  27. Sugar molecules falling under the effect of gravity. Stokes’ law F = 6pmPv, F = gravitational force The condition for perfect balance is N = (RT/6pm D) x 1/P Recovering the equation for diffusion The equilibrium sugar concentration gradient arises from a balance of: And Sugar molecules diffusing upwards because of the concentration gradient. pressure gradient (ideal gas law) density gradient upward force

  28. “Brownian motion paper.”“On the motion of small particles suspended in liquids at rest required by the molecular-kinetic theory of heat.”

  29. Measure D and we can find N. An easier way to estimate N? Doctoral dissertation: Einstein determined N from TWO equations in TWO unknowns N, P. N = (3m/ 4pr) x (m*/m - 1) x 1/P 3 N = (RT/6pm D) x 1/P What if sugar molecules were so big that we could measure their diameter P under the microscope? Why not just do the same analysis with microscopically visible particles?! Then P is observable. Only ONE equation is needed. Particles in suspension = a fixed, large number of component that do not interact with each other. Hence they can be treated by exactly the same analysis as an ideal gas and dilute sugar solution! The particles exert a pressure due to their thermal motions. PV=nkT …and this leads to their diffusion according to the same relation N = (RT/6pm D) x 1/P. Particles in suspension in a gravitational field

  30. “If it is really possible to observe the motion discussed here … then classical thermodynamics can no longer be viewed as strictly valid even for microscopically distinguishable spaces, and an exact determination of the real size of atoms becomes possible.” Brownian motion Einstein predicted thermal motions of tiny particles visible under the microscope and suspected that this explained Brown’s observations of the motion of pollen grains. For particles of size 0.001mm, Einstein predicted a displacement of approximately 6 microns in one minute.

  31. Estimating the coefficient of diffusion for suspended particles …and hence determine N. To describe the thermal motions of small particles, Einstein laid the foundations of the modern theory of stochastic processes and solved the “random walk problem.” Particles spread over time t, distributed on a bell curve. Their mean square displacement is 2Dt. Hence we can read D from the observed displacement of particles over time. N = (RT/6pm D) x 1/P Then find N using

  32. displacement time Unexpected properties of the motion The “jiggles” are not the visible result of single collisions with water molecules, but each jiggle is the accumulated effect of many collision. Displacement is proportional to square root of time. So an average velocity cannot be usefully defined.  0 as time gets large.

  33. Thermodynamics of Fluctuating Systems of Independent Components

  34. Canonical Formulae From Einstein’s papers of 1902-1904 For a system of n spatially localized, spatially independent components: Energy E depends only canonical momenta pi and not on canonical positions xi. Probability density over states Canonical entropy terms dependent only on momentum degrees of freedom Vn !!!!!!!!! Free energy Pressure exerted by components Ideal gas law

  35. Macroscopic Signature of… …a system of n spatially localized, spatially independent components. Sugar molecules in solution. Microscopically visible corpuscles. What else? Entropy varies logarithmically with volume V S = terms in energy and momentum degrees of freedom + nk ln V Pressure obeys ideal gas law.

  36. Einstein’s 1905 derivation of the ideal gas lawfrom the assumption of spatially independent, localized components • Brownian motion paper, §2 Osmotic pressure from the viewpoint of the molecular kinetic theory of heat.

  37. The Miraculous Argument

  38. The Light Quantum Paper

  39. Development of the “miraculous argument” Photoelectric effect The Light Quantum Paper §1 On a difficulty encountered in the theory of “black-body radiation” §2 On Planck’s determination of the elementary quanta §3 On the entropy of radiation §4 Limiting law for the entropy of monochromatic radiation at low radiation density §5 Molecular-theoretical investigation of the dependence of the entropy of gases and dilute solutions on the volume §6 Interpretation of the expression for the dependence of the entropy of monochromatic radiation on volume according to Boltzmann’s Principle §7 On Stokes’ rule §8 On the generation of cathode rays by illumination of solid bodies §9 On the ionization of gases by ultraviolet light

  40. The Miraculous Argument. Step 1.

  41. Boltzmann’s Principle S = k log W Entropy change for the fluctuation process S - S0= kn log v/v0 Standard thermodynamic relations Ideal gas law for kinetic gases and osmotic pressure of dilute solutions Pv = nkT The Miraculous Argument. Step 1. Probability that n independently moving points all fluctuate into a subvolume v of volume v0 e.g molecules in a kinetic gas, solute molecules in dilute solution W = (v/v0)n

  42. The Miraculous Argument. Step 2.

  43. Observationally derived entropies of high frequency  radiation of energy E and volume v and v0 S - S0= k (E/h) log V/V0 Boltzmann’s Principle S = k log W Probability of constant energy fluctuation in volume from v to v0 W = (V/V0)E/h Restate in words "Monochromatic radiation of low density behaves--as long as Wien's radiation formula is valid --in a thermodynamic sense, as if it consisted of mutually independent energy quanta of magnitude [h]." The Miraculous Argument. Step 2.

  44. A Familiar Project

  45. The Light Quantum Paper From macroscopic thermodynamic properties of heat radiation infer microscopic constitution of radiation.

  46. Einstein’s Doctoral Dissertation From macroscopic thermodynamics of dilute sugar solutions (viscosity, diffusion) infer microscopic constitution (size of sugar molecules)

  47. The “Brownian Motion” Paper From microscopically visible motions of small particles infer sub-microscopic thermal motions of water molecules and vindicate the molecular-kinetic account.

  48. Infer the system consists microscopically of n, independent, spatially localized points. The macroscopic signature of the microscopic constitution of the light quantum paper Find this dependence macroscopically Entropy change = k n log (volume ratio)

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