Colloquium Mathematics - Prof. Gert Heckman, Radboud University of Nijmegen
| When: | Tu 06-05-2025 16:00 - 17:00 |
| Where: | 5161.0253 Bernoulliborg |
title: Noether's principle on symmetries and conservation laws
Abstract:
In 1915 Einstein found his famous field equation for general relativity. Around the same time Hilbert found a variational principle whose Euler--Lagrange equation led to Einstein’s equation. On the basis of her work in invariant theory he invited Emmy Noether over to Göttingen to discuss conservation laws for variational problems.
This resulted in her "famous" paper, entitled Invariante Varationsprobleme, from 1918, which in turn led to her Habilitation in 1919, and position as unbeamter (ie not very tenure) ausserordentlicher (ie small salary) Professorin at Göttingen in 1922. We intend to give a pedestrian exposition of her paper, and discuss its slow acceptance and its later ramifications. For further background see also the speaker's article in the March volume of NAW from this year (2025).