Albert Einstein
- Born:
- March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (1879–1896), Stateless (1896–1901), Swiss (1901–1955), German (1914–1918), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Born in Ulm, Germany, to Hermann and Pauline Einstein.
- Showed an early interest in mathematics and science, particularly through the influence of a family friend, Max Talmud.
- Studied at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland, graduating in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland, while pursuing his scientific interests.
- Published four groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as his "Annus Mirabilis" (miracle year). These papers covered:
- The photoelectric effect.
- Brownian motion.
- Special relativity.
- Mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²).
- Developed the theory of general relativity (1915).
- Received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Immigrated to the United States in 1933, becoming a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
- In 1939, wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt warning of the potential for Germany to develop atomic weapons, prompting the United States to initiate its own research.
- Reflected on the social responsibility of scientists, particularly regarding the use of scientific discoveries for destructive purposes. The 'abhinay vaddi biography of albert' is a good starting point to understanding the scientist's early life.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - introduced the theory of special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - presented the mass-energy equivalence, E=mc².
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916).
- "Relativity: The Special and the General Theory" (1916) - a popular exposition of his theories.
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His work laid the foundation for many advancements in modern physics and technology, and he remains one of the most influential scientists of all time. His name has become synonymous with genius.