Max Planck

:This article is about Planck, the German physicist. For the proposed European Space Agency artificial satellite, see "Planck (satellite)".

Einstein and the Theory of Relativity

In 1905 the three epochal papers of hitherto completely unknown Albert Einstein

Related Topics:
1905 - Albert Einstein

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were published in the journal Annalen der Physik; Planck was among the few who immediately recognized the significance of the special theory of relativity. Thanks to his influence this theory was soon widely accepted in Germany. Planck also contributed considerably to extend the special theory of relativity.

Related Topics:
Annalen der Physik - Special theory of relativity

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However, Einstein's hypothesis of light quanta (photons), harbingered by Philipp Lenard's 1902 discovery of the photoelectric effect, was initially rejected by Planck; he was unwilling to sacrifice also Maxwell's theory of electrodynamics. "The theory of light would be thrown back not by decades, but by centuries, into the age when Christian Huygens dared to fight against the mighty emission theory of Newton ..."

Related Topics:
Photons - Philipp Lenard - 1902 - Photoelectric effect - Maxwell - Electrodynamics - Christian Huygens - Newton

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In 1910 Einstein pointed at the anomalous behavior of specific heat at low temperatures

Related Topics:
1910 - Specific heat

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as another example of a phenomenon which defies explanation by classical physics. Planck and Nernst, in order to clarify the increasing number of contradictions, organised the First Solvay Conference (Brussels 1911); at this meeting Einstein was finally able to convince Planck.

Related Topics:
Nernst - Solvay Conference

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Meanwhile Planck had been appointed dean of Berlin University, whereby it was possible for him to call Einstein to Berlin and establish a new professorship for him (1914). Soon the two scientists became close friends and met frequently for jointly playing music.

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