Developed the theory of electrons and was a pioneer in the field of electromagnetic theory, making significant contributions to our understanding of the behavior of charged particles.
Max Abraham, a German physicist, is best known for his courageous opposition to Albert Einstein's theory of relativity and his own theoretical contributions to the field of electromagnetism. His work on the electron theory, which proposed a spherical shape with evenly distributed charge, competed with the more widely accepted models of Hendrik Lorentz and Albert Einstein.
Born on March 26, 1875, in Danzig, Imperial Germany (now Gdansk, Poland), Abraham came from a family of Jewish merchants. His father, Moritz Abraham, and mother, Selma Moritzsohn, instilled in him a passion for learning that would shape his future.
Abraham's academic journey began at the University of Berlin, where he studied under the guidance of the renowned Max Planck. He graduated in 1897 and worked as Planck's assistant for three years, laying the foundation for his future research.
In 1902, Abraham developed his theory of the electron, which proposed a perfect sphere with a charge divided evenly around its surface. Although his model was competing with those of Lorentz and Einstein, Abraham remained convinced that his theory was based on common sense and refused to abandon it.
Abraham's unwavering commitment to his work led him to travel to the United States in 1909, where he accepted a position at the University of Illinois. However, his stay was short-lived, and he returned to Göttingen after a few months.
In 1914, Abraham was forced to return to Germany due to the outbreak of World War I. During this time, he worked on the theory of radio transmission. After the war, he was not allowed back into Milan, so he worked at Stuttgart as a professor of physics until 1921.
In 1921, Abraham accepted the position of chair in Aachen, but his life took a tragic turn when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor before starting his work. He passed away on November 16, 1922, in Munich, Germany.
Max Born and Max von Laue wrote an obituary for Abraham, acknowledging his contributions to the field of physics. Despite his unyielding opposition to relativity, Abraham's work remains an important chapter in the history of electromagnetism.
In the words of Abraham himself, "I loved my absolute space and time, and I could not bring myself to sacrifice them." His legacy serves as a testament to the power of conviction and the pursuit of knowledge.
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