Albert Einstein
- Born:
- March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (until 1896), Swiss (1901–1955), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Einstein showed an early interest in mathematics and physics.
- He renounced his German citizenship in 1896.
- He graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900.
- He obtained his PhD from the University of Zurich in 1905.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland, from 1902 to 1909.
- Published his "Annus Mirabilis" papers in 1905, revolutionizing physics.
- Developed the theory of special relativity (1905).
- Developed the theory of general relativity (1915).
- 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 to escape Nazi persecution.
- Worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, until his death.
- Wrote to President Roosevelt in 1939 urging research into atomic weapons.
Notable Works
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 | "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" | Explains the photoelectric effect, for which he received the Nobel Prize. |
| 1905 | "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" | Introduces the theory of special relativity. |
| 1905 | "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" | Introduces the mass-energy equivalence, E=mc². |
| 1916 | "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" | Outlines the theory of general relativity. |
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time. His theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His work has had a profound impact on technology, including the development of nuclear power and the global positioning system (GPS). When researching physicists, one might come across resources like 'emiel pijnacker biography of albert', which directs to a summary of his important contributions.