Imagine a missile flying at supersonic speed. This very image inspired the Ernst Mach Plaque we’re standing before.
This plaque commemorates Ernst Mach a man of science and philosophy. The Ernst Mach Plaque marks a spot where groundbreaking research began. It’s located on the Rector’s Office of Charles University in Prague.
Ernst Mach was born in 1838 in Chrlice near Brno. He became a pivotal figure in 19th-century science. He studied in Vienna and lectured at Graz. From 1867 to 1895 Ernst Mach worked at Prague University. He served as dean and rector. His work spanned physics mathematics and philosophy.
The physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach worked in this house between 1857 and 1879. He started his research into shock waves here. These are measured by the Mach number. Ernst Mach’s critique of Newtonian mechanics influenced Albert Einstein. This led to Einstein’s theory of relativity.
The Ernst Mach Plaque was unveiled on February 18 2016. This date marked the anniversary of Mach’s birth. The Czech Physical Society proposed designating this building an EPS historic site. The building is located in Prague’s UNESCO-protected Old Town.
Jakub Vlček sculpted the bronze plaque. Ondřej Brom designed the accompanying brass plaque. It features logos of the Czech Physical Society Charles University and the European Physical Society. The plaque bears a trilingual inscription in Czech English and German. It recognizes Ernst Mach’s contributions.
Many physical terms are named after Ernst Mach. The Mach wave machine and Mach pendulum are still used in physics teaching. Aerodynamics of supersonic speeds is linked to the Mach cone Mach angle and Mach number.
Ernst Mach’s work focused on reviewing physical concepts. He fostered a new way of scientific thinking. He was also a successful educator. He fostered a generation of physicists. Many leading Czech researchers came from his so-called physics school. These include A. Seydler Č. Strouhal and Č. Dvořák.
The Ernst Mach Plaque serves as a reminder. It symbolizes Mach’s lasting impact on science and thought. It connects Prague to the history of physics. The name of Ernst Mach is known worldwide. It is a measure of sound velocity.