Einstein at Work on Unified Field Theory
Description
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.
Reviews / Votes
"This book presents a fascinating behind-the-scenes example of Einstein at work, almost in real time, exploring theoretical avenues with mathematical tools at a level of detail not usually found in his publications. ... book is a solid contribution to Einstein Studies, and will be of interest to Einstein scholars and mathematicians interested in the history of the Einstein-Bergmann theory." (Scott A. Walter, Mathematical Reviews, October, 2025)
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Content
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.