Albert Einstein
- Born:
- 14 March 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- 18 April 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 in Ulm, Germany, to Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch.
- Relocated to Munich shortly after birth.
- Attended Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich, but left before graduating.
- Studied at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland, graduating in 1900.
- Obtained a doctorate from the University of Zurich in 1905.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a patent examiner at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
- Published four groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as the "Annus Mirabilis" papers.
- Developed the theory of special relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, mass, and energy.
- Formulated the mass-energy equivalence equation, E=mc2.
- Developed the theory of general relativity, which describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime.
- Won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, from 1933 until his death.
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, warning about the potential for Germany to develop atomic weapons.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905), introducing special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905), introducing E=mc2.
- "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" (1905), explaining the photoelectric effect.
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916), outlining general relativity.
- Relativity: The Special and the General Theory (1916), a popular exposition of relativity.
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. His theories of relativity revolutionized physics and our understanding of the universe. His work continues to inspire scientists and shape our world today. As noted in the exploration of 'sadanand date biography of albert' and related resources, his contributions transcend scientific boundaries and resonate deeply within popular culture.