Einstein's conversion from his static to an expanding universe
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Author / Producer
Date
2014-02
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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OPEN ACCESS
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Abstract
In 1917 Einstein initiated modern cosmology by postulating, based on general relativity, a homogenous, static, spatially curved universe. To counteract gravitational contraction he introduced the cosmological constant. In 1922 Alexander Friedman showed that Albert Einstein’s fundamental equations also allow dynamical worlds, and in 1927 Georges Lemaître, backed by observational evidence, concluded that our universe was expanding. Einstein impetuously rejected Friedman’s as well as Lemaître’s findings. However, in 1931 he retracted his former static model in favour of a dynamic solution. This investigation follows Einstein on his hesitating path from a static to the expanding universe. Contrary to an often advocated belief the primary motive for his switch was not observational evidence, but the realisation that his static model was unstable.
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Publication status
published
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Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
39 (1)
Pages / Article No.
37 - 62
Publisher
Springer
Event
Edition / version
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Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Cosmological Constant; Cosmological Term; Expand Universe; Modern Cosmology; Cosmological Debate
Organisational unit
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisher.