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 (1914–1933), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist
Early Life and Education
- Einstein showed an early aptitude for mathematics and physics.
- He received his diploma from the Aargau Cantonal School in Aarau, Switzerland.
- He attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, graduating in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern (1902-1909).
- Published groundbreaking papers in 1905, known as his "annus mirabilis" papers, covering topics such as Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect, special relativity, and mass-energy equivalence.
- Developed the general theory of relativity (1915), revolutionizing our understanding of gravity.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Became a professor at the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 due to the rise of Nazism in Germany.
- Joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, warning of the potential for Germany to develop atomic weapons.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Special Relativity
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Mass-Energy Equivalence
- "Investigations on the Theory of the Brownian Movement" (1905)
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916)
- "Relativity: The Special and the General Theory" (1916)
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein is considered one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, and his theories have profoundly impacted our understanding of the universe. His work laid the foundation for many technological advancements, including the development of nuclear energy and lasers. His name has become synonymous with genius.
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