Albert Einstein, (born March 14, 1879, Ulm, Germany—died April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.), German-born physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum mechanics). His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. He is best known to the general public for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc². He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect, a pivotal step in the development of quantum theory.
Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire. His father was Hermann Einstein, a salesman and engineer, and his mother was Pauline Koch. In 1880, the family moved to Munich, where his father and his uncle founded Elektrotechnische Fabrik J. Einstein & Cie, a company that manufactured electrical equipment based on direct current. Albert attended a Catholic elementary school from the age of five for three years. At the age of eight, he was transferred to the Luitpold Gymnasium, where he received advanced primary and secondary school education until he left the German Empire seven years later.
In 1905, Einstein was awarded a PhD by the University of Zurich. His dissertation was entitled "A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions". That same year, which has been called Einstein's annus mirabilis (miracle year), he published four groundbreaking papers, which were to bring him to the notice of the academic world. The four papers were on the photoelectric effect (which would earn him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921), Brownian motion, the special theory of relativity, and the equivalence of mass and energy, which were pivotal to the foundation of modern physics.
Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76, in Princeton, New Jersey. His legacy continues to influence numerous fields, from theoretical physics to the philosophy of science. Numerous books, films, and works of art have been created to honor his contributions. His name has become synonymous with genius, and his work remains a testament to the power of human intellect and creativity.
Several places and objects have been named after him, including the element Einsteinium, the Albert Einstein Institution, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His life and works continue to be studied and celebrated worldwide.
Special Theory of Relativity
In 1905, Einstein proposed the theory of special relativity, which reconciles the laws of mechanics with the laws of the electromagnetic field. Special relativity introduced the idea that space and time are intertwined into a single continuum known as spacetime, and that time can dilate and lengths can contract at high velocities.
General Theory of Relativity
In 1915, Einstein published the general theory of relativity, which provides a unified description of gravity as a geometric property of space and time, or spacetime. This theory has been confirmed by many experiments and observations, and it forms the basis for the current understanding of black holes and the expansion of the universe.
Photoelectric Effect
Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect in 1905 provided evidence for the quantization of light and laid the foundation for quantum theory. His work demonstrated that light could be thought of as consisting of particles, or photons, each with a discrete amount of energy.
Theory of Brownian Motion
In 1905, Einstein published a paper on Brownian motion, providing empirical evidence for the existence of atoms and molecules. His theoretical predictions were later confirmed by experiments, providing strong support for the atomic theory of matter.
Cosmological Constant
In 1917, Einstein introduced the cosmological constant into his equations of general relativity in an attempt to achieve a static universe. Although he later abandoned this idea, the cosmological constant has gained renewed interest in modern cosmology as a possible explanation for dark energy.
Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox
In 1935, Einstein, along with Boris Podolsky and Nathan Rosen, published a paper on quantum entanglement, arguing that the quantum mechanical description of physical reality provided by wave functions was incomplete. This paradox highlighted the strange and non-intuitive nature of quantum mechanics, and it has since become a fundamental aspect of quantum theory.
Theory of Specific Heats
Einstein's work on the specific heat of solids in 1907 provided one of the first applications of quantum theory to a physical system. His model explained the temperature dependence of the specific heats of solids, which classical theory could not account for.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.
Albert Einstein