104
DOCS. 88-90
JUNE
1915
-for this
is
guilt,
if
guilt
is
anything:
not to
multiply
a
loved
one’s
freedom
by
all
the
freedom
you
find in
yourself–
unfortunately
not
by
me:
by
R. M. Rilke.[2]
89. To
Michael
Polányi
[Berlin,]
18
June
1915
Dear
Colleague,
Regarding your
thermodynamic
observation
on
Nernst’s
theorem,[1]
I
can-
not
see
what
is
essentially new
in it to Nernst’s
paper published by
the Pruss.
Academy;[2]
admittedly,
it
is
more
suggestive.
However, we
have
already
dis-
cussed
this
point
enough,[3]
so
I
hope
I
do not have
to
take
a
stance
against
your
paper.
Regarding
the
isotopes,
I
think the
following:[4]
It
seems
to
me
beyond
doubt
that the mixture
at normal temperatures
is
connected
with
a
change
in
entropy,
because
it
seems
impossible
to
question
osmotic
pressure
at normal
tempera-
tures.
Nonetheless,
this could still be verified
specifically by
the method
you
have
suggested.
At
most,
the
only question
appearing
to remain
is
whether this
entropy
difference
can
be eliminated
at
absolute
zero
through particularly
un-
usual
variability
in
the
specific
heat
of
the
isotope
mixtures.
I
personally
am
firmly
convinced
that this
is
not
the
case.
But
I
do
not
intend
to
occupy my-
self
further
with
this
matter,
because
I
believe
I
said all that
is
necessary
earlier
already.
With best
regards, yours very truly,
A. Einstein.
90.
From
Hans
Reissner[1]
Charlottenburg
9,
17 Tannenberg Avenue,
22
June
1915
Esteemed
Mr.
Einstein,
I
am
attempting
to
penetrate
bit
by
bit
into
the
magnificent
edifice
of
your
gen.
theory
of
relativity,
but
still find
myself
in
the
anteroom.
Today
I
would like
to
hear
your opinion on an
example
that
I
have
attempted
to
set
up according
to
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