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Ernst Mach was born 18 Febuary 1838 in Brno, Moravia(present day Czech Republic). Mach was homeschooled till he was 14 years old. He later earned his doctorate in physics at the University of Vienna.
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In 1883 Ernst Mach published his famous book The Science of Mechanics Mach, Ernst. The Science of Mechanics; a Critical and Historical Account of Its Development. Translated by Thomas J. McCormack. New Introd. by Karl Menger. Open Court Classics, 1883.
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After school Mach taught physics and mathematics. Eventually he turned to psychology and the physiology of sensation. From a philosophical standpoint Mach contributed to the concept that all knowledge is ultimately derived from sensation. He says that the only way scientific investigations can be acknowledged and understood was through experience.
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His theory simply says that no theory or statement of science in nature can be true unless it is empirically verifiable. (Gregersen) He held objections to concepts about absolute space and time. This would ultimately lay the path that led to Einstein’s theory of relativity. Gregersen, Erik. "Ernst Mach." Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Nov. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Ernst-Mach. Accessed 22 Nov. 2019.
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One of his more well-known contributions to science were his principles of supersonics. The “Mach” number was coined and is still used to describe the ratio of the velocity of an object to the velocity of sound. For a Mach quantity of less than one meant that the object’s velocity was subsonic; or less than the speed of sound. For a Mach quantity of more than one meant that the object’s velocity was supersonic; or more than the speed of sound.
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Based on Mach’s concepts, an object that goes faster than Mach One will create a shockwave pattern due to the object creating a compression of its surrounding fluid. (Augustyn) Augustyn, Adam. "Mach Number." Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Nov. 2019, www.britannica.com/science/Mach-number. Accessed 22 Nov. 2019. Image:
NewMediaThemes. "What Happens when an Aircraft – MechStuff." MechStuff, 27 May 2019, mechstuff.com/what-happens-when-an-aircraft-travels-more-than-the-speed-of-sound/. -
In 1897 Ernst Mach published his book The Analysis of Sensations Mach, Ernst. The Analysis of Sensations, and the Relation of the Physical to the Psychical. Open Court Publishing, 1897.
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In 1903 Ernst Mach published Space and Geometry in the Light of Physiological, Psychological, and Physical Inquiry Mach, Ernst, and Thomas J. McCormack. Space and Geometry in the Light of Physiological, Psychological and Physical Inquiry. Open Court Classics, 1903.
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Ernst Mach died on the 19th of February 1916 in Haar, Germany.
