The Green caldron - University Library

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The Green Caldron
be mechanically impossible. However, through the mathematics of the Lorentz
Transformation, the scientist can overcome this impasse. In order to describe
the phenomena of nature in terms that are consistent for all systems throughout
the universe, the scientist must plug the measurements of time and space into
the Lorentz Transformation as variables. Through this equation, Einstein was
able to discover a number of new and extraordinary truths about the physical
universe.
A direct outgrowth of the Lorentz Transformation was the theory that
time slows down and distances contract as the velocity of the system is in-
creased. According to Einstein's mathematics, a yardstick would shrink to
about half its length at the velocity of ninety per cent of the speed of light and
would theoretically shrink away into nothingness at the velocity of light.
As a direct consequence, therefore, nothing in the universe can move with a
velocity equal to or greater than that of light.
Since time slows down with an increase in velocity, a man in a rocket
travelling close to the speed of light could theoretically travel to a distant star
years away, according to earth-time, in what would appear to him a few
days. However, he would be shocked to find his friends on earth years older
when he returned.
Scientists now claim that everything in the universe can be stripped down
to a few basic quantities : space, time, matter, energy, and gravity. In turn,
these quantities are interdependent on each other, so that the state of the
universe can be resolved into unity. However, as this simplicity emerges from
complexity, the fundamental laws become more remote from human experi-
ence. In the evolution of scientific thought, scientists have come to the con-
clusion that since human intellect is a finite quality, there is a definite limit to
man's knowledge. Science can never hope to find the ultimate in truth. All
scientists can do is to delve into the causes and effects of a phenomenon and
not into what it is or why it exists.
In The Universe and Dr. Einstein, Lincoln Barnett tries to give an account
of the structure of the universe and the nature of quantum physics in the
layman's language. In the work, he discusses the philosophy and limitations
of science. Since science, technology, and space travel are important topics
at the present time, every educated person should have some insight into the
present status of science and its future possibilities. Therefore, inasmuch as
the book is well written on an important topic, it is valuable to the average
reader who wants to gain an insight into modern physics. The influence of
Eir stein's theories, which may now seem highly theoretical and impractical,
will become incalculably great in the future. (The awesome power of the
atomic bomb displayed the practicality and application of Einstein's theories.
Atomic power is an indication of what is to come.)
The conclusions of the book are startling. The book shocks its readers
with the feeling of the insignificance of man in the fathomless universe. It is one