NEW PHYSICAL LAWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3336, 14 November 1919, Page 3

NEW PHYSICAL LAWS.

I-?.[NSTEIN’S DISCOVERY

ADDITION TO OLD I{i\'O\\’l.l:ll){£‘L7. The cabled announcement that 'l’resh evidence h-ad been obtained from cl)servation of the solar eclipselast May, in support of Pl'ot'essor. Einstein ’s theory of relativity was referred yesterday to Mr W. .Vernon, actingProtessor of Physics at the university C‘ol?-ego‘, :.-‘,«;ne.l«:'land. Mr Vernon explained that the theory was first enunciated in 1905, but was not generally accepted, since the evidence was considered too meagre’. Ap.pal'entlytlle astronomical observations had produced fresh support for Professor .l‘]instein’s contention. The subject, added Mr Vernon. formed one of the most. abstruse branches of the ‘Science of physics. It was a matter of pure theory, not likely to have nmeh hearing on the practical side «of science. A parallel case was the discovery that the atom was not the smallest possible subdivision of an element, when the tlieory of the electron was advaned. This opened up fresh realms oi’ scientific tlioiight, withoizt producing much effect upon practical chemistry. 80 it was with Professor Einstein’s principles. It was ratlier an addition to present knowledge than a -general overthrowing of p"oViouSl_\jaceept(‘d physical laws. Certain readjustments of scientific conceptions might be necessary. For instance, the establishnient of the ‘theory of relativity might result in disposing of the conception of the space-filling ether, as being the universal and all,—,perVading substance.

Nevol*tlle]oss, Mt Vernon thought Hze opinion given in S_vdlloy, {hat thrcstnb]i;<hmo,ll’r of fhisAthoorem would mr>.'m a. signific-ant addition to the oldvr Tnws of physical science I'a’rhel‘ rlmn an upsetfing of them. was the correct" Vi(‘W to take.