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, Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Born in Ulm, Germany to Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch.
- Initially spoke slowly and was considered a slow learner by some.
- Developed a fascination with mathematics and physics at a young age.
- Renounced his German citizenship in 1896.
- Graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
- Published his groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as his "Annus Mirabilis" (Miracle Year). These covered topics including special relativity, Brownian motion, and the photoelectric effect.
- Developed the theory of general relativity (1907-1915), revolutionizing our understanding of gravity.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution.
- 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) - introduced special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - introduced the equation E=mc².
- "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's theories revolutionized physics and our understanding of the universe. His work laid the foundation for many technological advancements, and his name has become synonymous with genius. The impact of his work is still felt today, and he remains one of the most influential scientists of all time.
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