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
- Born to Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch.
- Initially spoke slowly; developed a passion for mathematics and physics at a young age.
- Attended Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich.
- Renounced German citizenship at age 16.
- Graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900 with a diploma in physics.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
- Published four groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as his Annus Mirabilis (miracle year).
- Developed the theory of special relativity, including the famous equation E=mc².
- Developed the theory of general relativity, a geometric theory of gravitation, published in 1915.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 due to the rise of Nazism in Germany.
- Worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, until his death.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Introduced special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Introduced E=mc².
- "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" (1905) - Explained the photoelectric effect.
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916) - Introduced general relativity.
- Relativity: The Special and the General Theory (1916) - A popular exposition of relativity.
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His work laid the foundation for modern physics and continues to influence scientific research and technological advancements. He is considered one of the most influential scientists of all time.
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