Einstein, Barcelona, Symmetry & Cosmology: The Birth of an Equation for the Universe

TL;DR

This paper explores Einstein's historical visit to Spain, highlighting its significance in the development of modern cosmology, especially through the Einstein-Friedmann controversy and the role of symmetry-breaking in relativity.

Contribution

It provides a historical and conceptual analysis of Einstein's visit and its impact on the evolution of cosmological theories and the role of symmetry in physics.

Findings

Einstein's visit was pivotal for the acceptance of Friedmann's cosmological models.

The Einstein-Friedmann controversy influenced the development of modern cosmology.

Symmetry-breaking paradigms are crucial in understanding the foundations of relativity and quantum field theory.

Abstract

Albert Einstein visited Spain only once, precisely one hundred years ago. The circumstances, of a very different kind, of this visit will be explained here. In special, some important events happened to Einstein during that period, which, eventually, were key for converting modern cosmology into a genuine physical theory. Among them is the famous Einstein-Friedmann controversy, first, on the mathematical validity of Friedmann's equations and, later, their possible usefulness as a reliable tool to describe the real world. A summary of the deepest ideas underlying Einstein's contributions to the theory of relativity, which he had already completed before his visit, will precede the discussion, also supplemented with a description, in very simple terms, of the three main relativistic theories, namely Galileo's one, and Einstein's special and general theory. They pave the way towards a definitive theory of total relativity, so far unattainable. It will be recalled that the most general relativity principle, faithfully reflecting Ernst Mach's far-reaching ideas, might have much to do with the symmetry-breaking paradigm, a most crucial tool in quantum field theory and high energy physics.