Einstein's ultimate conclusion regarding ether and Relativity?

[W.RonG]

Hi again. I just re-read the paper from 1920 where Einstein ponders "ether". Based on General Relativity he seemed to conclude that there must be something in space besides nothing. It does not have mechanical properties as the old "aether" was assigned before Relativity, but it must be capable of transporting electromagnetic energy/waves (light, etc). Has there been any advance in the thinking about or modeling of the substance of space since then?
thanks.
rg

 

[country boy]

Einstein got rid of the ether with special relativity because the classical reasons for it were no longer necessary. But with general relativity, in which mass modifies spacetime, he felt that there was still "something" there. Nevertheless, physics has subsequently been developed without reference to an underlying medium like the ether (unless the "vacuum" now plays that role).

 

[Entropia]

Einstein's ultimate conclusion regarding ether and Relativity was that while there is something in space, it is not the same as the traditional concept of ether. He believed that the concept of ether as a mechanical substance, as proposed in the 19th century, was not compatible with the principles of Relativity. Instead, he proposed that there is a "substance" in space that is capable of carrying electromagnetic energy and waves, but it does not have the same properties as the old conception of ether.

Since Einstein's time, there have been advances in the understanding and modeling of the substance of space. The concept of the vacuum has been explored and studied, and theories such as quantum field theory have been developed to explain the behavior of particles and fields in empty space.

Additionally, experiments such as the Michelson-Morley experiment and more recent studies of the cosmic microwave background have provided evidence that supports Einstein's view that there is something in space that can carry electromagnetic energy.

However, the exact nature of this substance is still a topic of ongoing research and debate. Some theories propose that it may be made up of virtual particles or quantum fluctuations, while others suggest that it may be related to the concept of dark matter or dark energy.

Overall, while Einstein's conclusion about the substance of space remains relevant, our understanding of it has certainly evolved since his time. It is an exciting area of study that continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.