Einstein at Work on Unified Field Theory

This book meticulously examines over one hundred documents of research notes by Albert Einstein, many of which were previously unidentified, held in the archives of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Einstein Papers Project at Caltech. Focused on Einstein's quest for a five-dimensional unified field theory of gravitation and electromagnetism, the analysis provides unique insights into his mathematical skills, thinking, and modus operandi. This academic exploration also investigates the role of mathematics in Einstein's theorizing with a special focus on projective geometry and delta functions.

Investigates Einstein's modus operandi in his work on a unified field theory of gravitation and electromagnetism Examines the role of mathematics in Einstein's thought focusing on projective geometry and delta functions Provides historical, technical and conceptual analyses of hiterto unidentified manuscript pages by Einstein

Autorentext
Tobias Schütz completed his Ph.D. at the institute of mathematics at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in 2021. His interests include the history of physics in the 20th century with a special focus on Einstein's works, the interdisciplinarity of physics, mathematics, and chemistry as well as the didactics of these disciplines.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Focus on Mathematics.- Einstein and Projective Geometry.- Different Pathways to the Generalization of Kaluza's Theory.- Einstein's Further Considerations on the Generalized Kaluza Theory.- Considerations on Delta Functions.- Methodological Reflections.- Conclusion.