Electron theory, ether, and spacetime, 1904-1919

Scott A. Walter (1)

1 CFV - Centre François Viète : épistémologie, histoire des sciences et des techniques - EA1161

The electron-theoretical origins of relativity theory continued to influence its development after 1905. Both ether enthusiasts and spacetime partisans found in spacetime a convenient stand-in for the ether. The discovery of general relativity did not change this situation.

Mots clés: relativity; electron theory; ether

Domaines: Histoire, Philosophie et Sociologie des sciences

Scott A. Walter. Electron theory, ether, and spacetime, 1904-1919. Ether and modernity, Jaume Navarro, Mar 2017, San Sebastian, Spain. ⟨halshs-01618980⟩