Heinrich Hertz
First to prove existence of electromagnetic waves
Quotes by Heinrich Hertz
One cannot escape the feeling that these mathematical formulae have an independent existence and an intelligence of their own, that they are wiser than we are, wiser even than their discoverers, that we get more out of them than we originally put into them.
The relation of the two systems of equations is not that of a general to a special case, but that of two different forms of the same general case.
The most important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.
Light is an electromagnetic phenomenon.
I have not found a trace of any other action than that which is predicted by Maxwell's theory.
The waves which I have discovered are not light waves, but they are of the same nature.
The agreement of the experiments with the theory is as complete as could be desired.
The phenomena which I have described are in complete agreement with Maxwell's theory.
The question whether the electric force is a pressure or a tension is not a physical but a metaphysical one.
All matter possesses inertia.
We form for ourselves images or symbols of external objects; and the form which we give them is such that the necessary consequents of the images in thought are always the images of the necessary consequents in nature.
The images which we here speak of are our conceptions of things. With the things themselves they are in conformity in one important respect, namely, in the agreement of their consequences.
The images are not the things, but only their representations.
The most important thing is not to stop questioning.
The object of the present work is to present mechanics in a new form.
The fundamental law of mechanics is that every motion which is possible is such that the kinetic energy is a minimum.
The forces which act between bodies are not to be regarded as primary, but as secondary phenomena.
The whole of physics is a search for the simplest possible description of nature.
The question of the nature of electricity is one of the most difficult in physics.
The propagation of electric force is not instantaneous, but takes place with a finite velocity.