Einstein as a scientist. Key facts about the life of Albert Einstein
The name of this scientist is familiar to everyone. And if his achievements are an integral part school curriculum, then the biography of Albert Einstein remains outside its scope. This is the greatest of scientists. His work determined the development of modern physics. In addition, very interesting personality was Albert Einstein. Brief biography will introduce you to achievements, main milestones life path and some interesting facts about this scientist.
Childhood
The years of the life of a genius are 1879-1955. The biography of Albert Einstein begins on March 14, 1879. It was then that he was born in the city. His father was a poor Jewish merchant. He ran a small electrical goods workshop.
It is known that Albert did not speak until he was three years old, but he showed extraordinary curiosity already at the age of three. early years. The future scientist was interested in knowing how the world works. In addition, with youth He showed aptitude for mathematics and could understand abstract ideas. At the age of 12, Albert Einstein himself studied Euclidean geometry from books.
A biography for children, in our opinion, must certainly include one interesting fact about Albert. It is known that the famous scientist was not a child prodigy in childhood. Moreover, those around him doubted his usefulness. Einstein's mother suspected the presence of a congenital deformity in the child (the fact is that he had a large head). The future genius at school proved himself to be slow, lazy, and withdrawn. Everyone laughed at him. The teachers believed that he was practically incapable of anything. It will be very useful for schoolchildren to learn how difficult the childhood of such a great scientist as Albert Einstein was. A short biography for children should not just list facts, but also teach something. In this case - tolerance, self-confidence. If your child is desperate and thinks he is incapable of anything, just tell him about Einstein's childhood. He did not give up and retained faith in his own strength, as evidenced by the further biography of Albert Einstein. The scientist has proven that he is capable of much.
Moving to Italy
The young scientist was repelled by boredom and regulation at the Munich school. In 1894, due to business failures, the family was forced to leave Germany. The Einsteins went to Italy, to Milan. Albert, who was 15 years old at the time, took advantage of the opportunity to leave school. He spent another year with his parents in Milan. However, it soon became clear that Albert had to make a decision in life. After graduating from high school in Switzerland (in Arrau), Albert Einstein’s biography continues with his studies at the Zurich Polytechnic.
Study at the Zurich Polytechnic
He did not like the teaching methods at the polytechnic. The young man often missed lectures, devoting free time studying physics, as well as playing the violin, which was Einstein's favorite instrument all his life. Albert managed to pass the exams in 1900 (he prepared using the notes of a fellow student). This is how Einstein received his degree. It is known that the professors had a very low opinion of the graduate and did not recommend him to pursue a scientific career.
Working in a patent office
After receiving his diploma, the future scientist began working as an expert in the patent office. Since the assessment technical characteristics usually took the young specialist about 10 minutes; he had a lot of free time. Thanks to this, Albert Einstein began to develop his own theories. A short biography and his discoveries soon became known to many.
Three important works of Einstein
The year 1905 was significant in the development of physics. It was then that Einstein published important work, which played an outstanding role in the history of this science in the 20th century. The first of the articles was devoted to The scientist made important predictions about the movement of particles suspended in liquid. This movement, he noted, occurs due to the collision of molecules. Later, the scientist’s predictions were confirmed experimentally.
Albert Einstein, whose brief biography and discoveries are just beginning, soon published a second work, this time devoted to the photoelectric effect. Albert expressed a hypothesis about the nature of light, which was nothing short of revolutionary. The scientist suggested that, under certain circumstances, light can be viewed as a stream of photons - particles whose energy is correlated with the frequency of the light wave. Almost all physicists immediately agreed with Einstein's idea. However, for the theory of photons to gain acceptance in quantum mechanics, it took 20 years of intense efforts by theorists and experimentalists. But Einstein's most revolutionary work was his third, "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies." In it, Albert Einstein presented the ideas of WHAT (particular theory of relativity) with unusual clarity. The short biography of the scientist continues with a short story about this theory.
Partial relativity
It destroyed the concepts of time and space that had existed in science since the time of Newton. A. Poincaré and G. A. Lorentz created a number of provisions of the new theory, but only Einstein was able to clearly formulate physical language its postulates. This concerns, first of all, the presence of a limit on the speed of signal propagation. And today you can find statements that supposedly the theory of relativity was created even before Einstein. However, this is not true, since in WHAT the formulas (many of which were actually derived by Poincaré and Lorentz) are not so important as correct reasons from a physics point of view. After all, these formulas follow from them. Only Albert Einstein was able to reveal the theory of relativity from the point of view of physical content.
Einstein's view on the structure of theories
General theory of relativity (GR)
Albert Einstein from 1907 to 1915 worked on new theory gravity, based on the principles of the theory of relativity. The path that led Albert to success was winding and difficult. Main idea General relativity, constructed by him, lies in the presence of an inextricable connection between the geometry of space-time and the gravitational field. Space-time in the presence of gravitating masses, according to Einstein, becomes non-Euclidean. It develops a curvature, which is greater the more intense the gravitational field in this region of space. Albert Einstein presented the final equations of general relativity in December 1915, during a meeting of the Academy of Sciences in Berlin. This theory is the pinnacle of Albert's creativity. It is, by all accounts, one of the most beautiful in physics.
The eclipse of 1919 and its role in the fate of Einstein
Understanding of general relativity, however, did not come immediately. This theory was of interest to few specialists for the first three years. Only a few scientists understood it. However, in 1919 the situation changed dramatically. Then, through direct observations, it was possible to verify one of the paradoxical predictions of this theory - that a ray of light from a distant star is bent by the gravitational field of the Sun. The check can only be carried out with complete solar eclipse. In 1919, the phenomenon could be observed in those parts globe where the weather was good. Thanks to this, it became possible to accurately photograph the position of the stars at the time of the eclipse. An expedition equipped by the English astrophysicist Arthur Eddington was able to obtain information that confirmed Einstein’s assumption. Albert literally became a global celebrity overnight. The fame that fell upon him was enormous. For a long time, the theory of relativity became a subject of debate. Newspapers from all over the world were filled with articles about her. Many popular books were published, where the authors explained its essence to ordinary people.
Recognition of scientific circles, disputes between Einstein and Bohr
Finally, recognition came in scientific circles. Einstein received the Nobel Prize in 1921 (albeit for quantum theory, not general relativity). He was elected an honorary member of a number of academies. Albert's opinion has become one of the most authoritative in the whole world. Einstein traveled a lot around the world in his twenties. He has participated in international conferences around the world. The role of this scientist was especially important in the discussions that unfolded in the late 1920s on issues of quantum mechanics.
Einstein's debates and conversations with Bohr on these issues became famous. Einstein could not agree with the fact that in a number of cases he operates only with probabilities, and not with exact values of quantities. He was not satisfied with the fundamental indeterminism of the various laws of the microworld. Einstein’s favorite expression was the phrase: “God does not play dice!” However, Albert was apparently wrong in his disputes with Bohr. As you can see, even geniuses make mistakes, including Albert Einstein. The biography and interesting facts about him are complemented by the tragedy that this scientist experienced due to the fact that everyone makes mistakes.
Tragedy in Einstein's life
Unfortunately, the creator of GTR was unproductive in the last 30 years of her life. This was due to the fact that the scientist set himself a task of enormous magnitude. Albert intended to create unified theory all kinds of interactions. Such a theory, as is now clear, is possible only within the framework of quantum mechanics. In pre-war times, in addition, very little was known about the existence of interactions other than gravitational and electromagnetic ones. Albert Einstein's titanic efforts therefore came to nothing. This may have become one of the most great tragedies in his life.
The pursuit of beauty
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of Albert Einstein's discoveries in science. Today, virtually every branch of modern physics is based on the fundamental concepts of relativity or quantum mechanics. Perhaps no less important is the confidence that Einstein instilled in scientists with his work. He showed that nature is knowable, showed the beauty of its laws. It was the desire for beauty that was the meaning of life for such a great scientist as Albert Einstein. His biography is already coming to an end. It’s a pity that one article cannot cover Albert’s entire legacy. But how he made his discoveries is definitely worth telling.
How Einstein created theories
Einstein had a peculiar way of thinking. The scientist singled out ideas that seemed disharmonious or inelegant to him. In doing so, he proceeded mainly from aesthetic criteria. The scientist then proclaimed general principle, restoring harmony. And then he made predictions about how certain physical objects would behave. This approach produced stunning results. Albert Einstein trained the ability to see a problem from an unexpected angle, rise above it and find an unusual way out. Whenever Einstein got stuck, he played the violin and suddenly a solution popped into his head.
Moving to the USA, last years of life
In 1933, the Nazis came to power in Germany. They burned everything. Albert's family had to emigrate to the USA. Here Einstein worked in Princeton, at the Institute basic research. In 1940, the scientist renounced his German citizenship and officially became a US citizen. Recent years he spent time at Princeton, working on his grandiose theory. He devoted his moments of rest to boating on the lake and playing the violin. Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955.
Albert's biography and discoveries are still studied by many scientists. Some of the research is quite interesting. In particular, Albert's brain was studied after death for genius, but nothing exceptional was found. This suggests that each of us can become like Albert Einstein. Biography, summary works and interesting facts about the scientist - all this is inspiring, isn’t it?
One of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. The scientist’s main scientific discovery is the theory of relativity. He formulated the partial theory of relativity in 1905, and the general theory ten years later. About scientific discoveries A scientist could write a whole book, but unfortunately, we do not have such an opportunity.
Einstein received worldwide recognition during his lifetime. Albert became the owner Nobel Prize in the field of physics. Honorary Award went to the scientist for his theoretical explanation of the photoelectric effect. In his theory, he explained the existence of photons, the so-called quanta of light. The theory was of great practical importance and had a great influence on the development of quantum theory. The scientist’s theories are extremely difficult to understand and perceive, but their fundamental nature can only be compared with discoveries. Einstein's uniqueness lies in the fact that the authorship of his discoveries is undeniable. We know that scientists often made many discoveries together, often without knowing it. This, for example, happened with Cheyne and Flory, who jointly discovered penicillin, and this happened with Niepce and many others. But this was not the case with Einstein.
Biography of Einstein very interesting and full of interesting facts. Albert was born in Germany in the city of Ulm in 1879. High school he graduated in neighboring Switzerland, and soon received Swiss citizenship. In 1905, at the University of Zurich, the young man received a doctorate in philosophical sciences. At this time, it is actively unfolding scientific activity. He publishes a number of works: the theory of Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect and the special theory of relativity. Soon these reports will be business card Albert, the world recognizes his contemporary as a genius, a brilliant and promising scientist. The scientist’s theories will stir up the scientific community, and serious controversy will flare up around his theories. Not one scientist in the world has been subjected to such discussion and such criticism. In 1913, Albert became a professor at the University of Berlin and the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Physics, as well as a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences.
The new positions allowed him to engage in science at any time in any quantity. It is unlikely that the German government ever regretted its favor towards the scientist. A few years later he would be awarded the Nobel Prize, raising the prestige of German science to the skies. In 1933, Einstein moved to the USA, to the state of New Jersey, to the city of Princeton. In seven years he will receive citizenship. The great scientist died in 1955. Einstein was always interested in politics and was aware of everyone. He was a convinced pacifist, an opponent of political tyranny, and at the same time was a supporter of Zionism. They say that in matters of clothing he was always an individualist; his contemporaries noted his excellent sense of humor, natural modesty and remarkable talents. Albert played the violin beautifully.
Albert Einstein was a reluctant Zionist. That is, he was, of course, proud of his Jewishness and declared that although the Zionist enterprise was threatened by “fanatical Arab savages,” the new country would become “a center of culture for all Jews, a refuge for the most oppressed, a field of action for the best among us, a unifying ideal and a way of achieving prosperity to the Jews of all the world." In a letter to the Manchester Guardian in 1929, he stated that “young pioneers, men and women of outstanding intellectual and moral caliber, are hewing stones and building roads under the scorching rays of the Palestinian sun”, and “agricultural settlements are springing up on the sun-scorched land... water supplies are being developed, ... industry .. education system. Who would not succumb to the magic of such great achievements and such almost inhuman commitment?"
However, his praise of Zionism was tinged with a certain amount of anxiety. Einstein, traumatized by the anti-Semitism of Central Europe, was well aware of the potential of nationalist ideologies and movements. From the outset, he admired the liberal vision preached by Jewish intellectuals from Palestine, which would create a binational Arab-Jewish state. Speaking in New York in 1938, he said: “I would rather have a reasonable agreement with the Arabs on the basis of coexistence in peace than the creation of a Jewish state... My understanding of the character of Judaism makes me resist the creation of a Jewish state with borders, an army... I I fear that internal damage will be caused to Judaism."
In 1952, he refused Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's request to become his second President of Israel after the death of Chaim Weizmann. Einstein stated that he was unfit for such a position, but also feared that as president he would have to accept moral responsibility for the decisions of others, decisions that might conflict with his beliefs.
Meanwhile, it was to Einstein that the Zionist leaders turned to Einstein in the summer of 1947 in the hope that he could work a miracle and convince India to support the creation of a Jewish state, including at a vote on this issue in the UN General Assembly. What was needed was a miracle, because the all-powerful Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, traditionally opposed it. It is not that he did not know Jewish history and did not sympathize with Jewish needs. “It is one of the miracles of history that the Jews, having no homeland or refuge, oppressed and persecuted beyond measure, often to death, have maintained their identity and their unity for 2,000 years,” he wrote in the 1930s, before the Holocaust. “Everywhere they went, they were treated as unwanted strangers, humiliated, insulted, tortured and massacred... The very word “Jew” became a dirty word.”
Nehru knew and acknowledged, unlike the Arab critics of Zionism, Jewish roots in Palestine, “a holy land for Jews and to some extent even for Muslims.” However, according to Nehru, “there was one small defect,” one “not so insignificant fact” that Britain “overlooked” in the Balfour Declaration in 1917 in support of the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine: the country was not “empty and uninhabited. It was already the home of some people." And the local Arabs "were afraid that the Jews would tear a piece of bread out of their mouths and take away the land from their peasants." If two oppressed peoples came into conflict, it would be a “tragedy,” Nehru argued. "Everyone should sympathize with the Jews, seeing the terrible persecution they are subjected to in Europe... And one can understand why they are drawn to Palestine." But "we must remember that Palestine is, in essence, Arab country, and that’s how it should remain.”
In a four-page letter to Nehru dated June 13, 1947, Einstein focuses on moral and historical arguments. He praises India's constitutional assembly, which has just abolished untouchability. "The world's attention is now focused on the problem of another group of people who, like the untouchables, have been victims of persecution and discrimination for centuries" - the problem of the Jews. He called on Nehru "as the champion of the forces of political and economic enlightenment" to support "the rights ancient people, whose roots are in the East." He called for "justice and equality." "Long before Hitler came along, I began to support Zionism because I saw in it a way to correct a terrible injustice."
And the point is not that Einstein supported nation-states, but that the world is divided into nation-states, and “the Jewish people are the only ones who for centuries have been in the anomalous position of victims and persecuted as a people deprived of the rights and protections that even the smallest people usually have... Zionism is a way to end this discrimination, through returning to the land with which they have close historical ties, the Jewish people are trying to get rid of their status as exiles."
“The appearance of Hitler pointed with wild logic to all the disastrous consequences of the anomalous situation in which the Jews found themselves. Millions of Jews died because there was no place on earth where they could find refuge... The surviving Jews demand the right to live among their brothers, on ancient land their fathers."
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“One of the most extraordinary features of the Jewish restoration of Palestine was that the influx of Jewish pioneers led not to the displacement and impoverishment of the local Arab population, but to its phenomenal increase and greater prosperity.”
Einstein then takes the bull by the horns, and writes about "the nature of the Arab opposition. Although the Arabs of Palestine have become more prosperous from an economic point of view, they want exclusive national sovereignty, such as that of the Arabs Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. This is a legitimate and natural desire, and justice demands its satisfaction." However, at the end of the First World War, the Allies gave the Arabs 99% of the "large uninhabited territories" liberated from the Turks to satisfy their national aspirations, and five independent Arab states were created. 1% in "the land from which they came" was reserved for the Jews. And what the Balfour Declaration says "restores the balance of justice to history."
Nehru replied on July 11. What's curious is that he began his three-page letter with a veiled apology: leaders of countries are "unfortunately" forced to pursue policies that are essentially selfish policies. "Every country thinks first of all about its own interests... And if international policy goes against national interests, then you can find many reasons why you need to refuse to follow international policy."
The meaning of the above is that Indian national interests demanded to oppose the Jewish state. At that time there was a struggle between Hindi and a large and powerful Muslim minority, which unanimously opposed Zionism; The battle with Pakistan was approaching, in which India needed the widest possible external support, including from Arab and Muslim states.
“I admit that while I have deep sympathies for the Jews, I also sympathize with the Arabs. I know that the Jews have done a wonderful job in Palestine and raised the standard of living, but one question troubles me,” Nehru continues. “After all these remarkable achievements, why did they not managed to win the favor of the Arabs? Why do they want to subjugate the Arabs against their will to their demands (for the division and creation of a Jewish state)?" Einstein failed to convince him.
Zionist leaders prepared an outline of a response. The reply letter raises the same themes as Nehru's letter, including the economic benefits of Zionism and British responsibility for ongoing troubles (as in India, the imperialists have always used the principle of divide and rule), as well as the reactionary nature of Arab societies and rulers. In their letter, they accuse Abdur Rahman of being hostile to Zionism and ask Nehru to at least voice "verbal sympathy." It is unclear whether this draft was forwarded to Einstein, but it appears that Einstein never signed or sent it. Nehru.
The Zionists made a last-ditch effort to gain Nehru's support. Two days before the vote in the UN General Assembly, Weizmann cabled: “We cannot understand how India can resist such a just settlement.” But it's no use. On November 29, India voted with Muslim countries against the division of Palestine. (The Zionists won. They needed two-thirds of the vote. They received 33 votes to 13, with 10 abstentions, including the United Kingdom).
Nehru admired Einstein as a humanist and scientist. They met in person only once, on November 5, 1949, in Einstein's office in Princeton. This was Nehru's only "private" meeting during his visit to the United States.
Every person in the world knows the brilliant scientist Albert Einstein, as well as his famous equation E=mc 2. But how many people know what this formula means? It is surprising that, being a scientist whose fame has eclipsed even such geniuses as Newton and Pasteur, he remains a mysterious figure for many. Biography of Albert Einstein is the topic of the article.
The hero of today's story is one of greatest people throughout the history of mankind. His biography is bright and rich. Many books have been written about Albert Einstein. It is impossible to present his entire life in one article. Albert Einstein, whose brief biography is presented below in dates, showed himself to be an extraordinary personality even in childhood. Here are some interesting facts from the early period of his life.
Manufacturer's son
The biography of Albert Einstein began in 1879. The future scientist was born in the German town of Ulm. Nothing else connected him with this place. A year after the birth of their son, Hermann and Paulina Einstein moved to Munich. Here Albert's father had an electrochemical plant. The future of Herman's young son was predetermined. He was supposed to become an engineer and inherit the family business.
Albert Einstein, whose biography did not live up to the hopes of his father-manufacturer, began to speak very late. For his age, he was even somewhat retarded in development.
Albert Einstein, whose brief biography is presented in physics textbooks, was a real genius. But in the eyes of his teachers, he was a mediocre child. The story of a future scientist who did not show any abilities at school is known, perhaps, to everyone. Indeed, according to researchers, the biography of Albert Einstein includes similar facts.
First discovery
When did Albert Einstein make his first discovery? The biography in the official version says that this happened in 1905. The hero of this article believed that this event dates back to a much earlier period.
In 1885, when the boy was only six years old, he contracted an illness that confined him to bed for several months. It was during this period that an event occurred that influenced his entire future life.
Hermann Einstein was quite upset by his son's illness. To entertain the boy, he gave him a compass. Albert was fascinated by this device, and especially by the fact that the long arrow invariably pointed in one direction. Regardless of which way the compass was turned.
Later, Albert Einstein, a world-famous physicist, would say that this moment was unforgettable. After all, it was then, at the age of six, that he realized that in environment there is something that attracts bodies and makes them rotate. The joy of the first discovery remained throughout his life, which Einstein spent in search of the secret laws underlying the universe.
Weird teenager
How did Albert Einstein spend his childhood and adolescence? Interesting biography from this person. She can serve as an example to those who strive for their goals. Albert was by no means a child prodigy. Moreover, teachers doubted his mental abilities. However, he made his discoveries not thanks to determination. But because I couldn’t imagine life without physics.
Albert loved science since childhood. He spent all his free time reading encyclopedias and physics textbooks. Einstein was a rather unusual teenager. He studied at a Munich school where there was strict military discipline. In those days it was the norm for everyone educational institutions Germany. However, Albert did not like this state of affairs at all. He excelled most in mathematics and physics and sometimes asked questions that went beyond the scope of the school curriculum.
What is remarkable about the early years of such a significant figure in world science as Albert Einstein? A short biography and interesting facts say that he had extraordinary knowledge of the exact sciences already in childhood. He was especially interested in the topic of electromagnetism.
As for other items, such as French and literature, here he did not show abilities. Once during a Greek lesson, the teacher could not stand it and said to the future scientist: “Einstein, you will never achieve anything!” This was the end of Albert's patience. He left school and went to his parents, who by that time had moved to Milan. The biography of Albert Einstein contains many difficult periods. After all, geniuses are often underestimated by their contemporaries.
Discoveries of the late 19th century
In order to understand Einstein's role in science, it is worth saying a few words about the time in which he began his journey. At the end of the 19th century, discoveries in the field of light physics contradicted the theories of scientists. Disagreements arose at the intersection of two different disciplines. One of them was studying the substance. The other is radiation emitted by heated bodies.
When a metal rod heats up, what happens is that it emits energy and light that is not yet visible to the naked eye. This is the so-called infrared light. As the temperature of the metal gets higher, a red light can be seen. At first it is burgundy, and then it becomes brighter and brighter. Then it changes color to yellow and so on, going beyond the spectrum recorded by the naked eye.
In those days, physicists could not create an equation that would describe such a simple phenomenon as a change in the color of light emitted by bodies heated to high temperatures. It was believed that it was impossible to find a mathematical formula that would explain this phenomenon. And that’s why physicists called it the “black body mystery.” Who was able to solve this riddle?
In Milan
At that time, Albert Einstein (photo above taken during his stay in Zurich) was not concerned similar questions. He spent time in the Italian villages, enjoying the fruits of his newfound freedom. Reunited with his family, Einstein announced his firm intention to become a professor and finally give up his studies in Germany.
The parents were stunned. But the bad news didn't end there. The plant, owned by Hermann Einstein, was close to bankruptcy. The father hoped that his son would someday continue his work. Hermann and Pauline Einstein were dismayed when they learned that Albert was planning to give up his German citizenship in order to avoid military service. The future scientist was now worried about completely different problems. He completely immersed himself in the mysterious world of physics. And nothing could lead him astray from this path anymore.
Einstein's uncle was a scientist and helped him study physics. When Albert was only sixteen years old, he wrote a letter to a relative in which he asked a question about the spread of light. Einstein asked the following: “What would happen if I could ride a light beam? Could an observer traveling at the speed of light see light from his position?”
Study in Zurich
Einstein never finished school. He was obviously not adapted to the standard German educational system. But this did not mean that he gave up his dream of becoming a scientist. Albert applied for admission to the Polytechnic in Zurich. This did not require a high school diploma.
The original application was not accepted because Einstein was still very young. But in admissions committee They decided that the boy was quite gifted. And therefore they recommended that he try again in a year. Einstein followed the advice. For a year he prepared to enter the polytechnic. The second attempt was successful for him.
Meet Mileva
Albert Einstein entered the polytechnic. Ninety-six students attended this institution. Of these, only five people dreamed of real science. One of them was Albert Einstein. The photo below belongs to Mileva Maric, the only student on the course. She was extremely educated, but had serious health problems. A romantic relationship arose between Einstein and Maric. The parents of the future scientist did not approve of them.
First of all, they thought the girl was too smart. Einstein's parents envisioned a flexible woman who could become a good housewife as their son's wife. What suited Albert about Mileva was that he could talk to her about topics related to science. In addition, they wrote passionate letters to each other, serving as proof that the young people were in love.
Start of research activities
At the polytechnic intellectual development Einstein was in full force. He read the works of great physicists with great zeal and was familiar with the reports of all the experiments performed. Einstein's true interests lay in the field of research. He wanted to advance human knowledge to a new level. Albert felt that existing theories no answers to important issues which he wondered. This moved him to independent work in the study of electromagnetism, the branch of physics he adored most.
At some point, Einstein began to skip classes at the polytechnic. He wanted to find evidence of the existence of the ether, in the space of which the earth could supposedly move. At that time, many attempts had already been made to resolve this issue. But none of the experiments looked convincing enough. Albert also wanted to take part in the research. And, using instruments from a local laboratory, he undertook several experiments.
Negative characteristic
It is worth saying that already during this period Einstein knew much more in the field of physics than his teachers. Subsequently, one of the professors, whose pride was hurt, wrote a very negative description.
After four years of study at the polytechnic, Einstein received his degree. Mileva failed her exams. Albert Einstein tried in vain to get a position at the university. Due to poor performance this was almost impossible. As well as continuing research activities without holding a university position.
1901 turned out to be the most unfortunate year in Einstein's life. All attempts to find a job were unsuccessful. He had to leave Mileva in Zurich and go to his family in Milan. Albert was going to announce to his parents about the upcoming wedding. As expected, Paulina and Herman were against it. They believed that Mileva was not suitable for the role of Einstein's wife. Moreover, she was not Jewish. Einstein had to give up thoughts of marriage.
First article
Despite all the failures, Einstein still hoped to begin research activities. He wrote his first article, “Consequences from the phenomena of capillarity.” It was published in the journal “Annals of Physics” - the most popular publication of that time.
Position in the patent office
Even after the article was published, its author remained unemployed. The situation changed only a few months later. In 1902, Albert Einstein was appointed to the position of third-class examiner at the patent office in Bern. This work left a lot of time for scientific work.
Contrary to his mother's wishes, in early 1903 Einstein nevertheless married Mileva. The wedding took place in a modest atmosphere. Only witnesses were present.
Einstein rented an apartment. At this time, he communicated a lot with his colleagues, among whom was the mathematician Marcel Grossman. And most importantly, Einstein read the works of great scientists, hoping that this would help him find answers to all his questions. Among the authors of scientific books, he singled out Ernst Mach, an Austrian physicist and philosopher.
Einstein's genius
Einstein had extraordinary mental abilities that endowed him with amazing abstract thinking skills. When he developed a theory, he carried out something like a thought experiment. His discoveries were ahead of the technical capabilities of the time in which he lived.
Theory of relativity
In 1905, in letters addressed to friends, Einstein several times mentioned certain revolutionary discoveries that would soon become known in the scientific world. Indeed, soon the article “Special Theory of Relativity” was published, within the framework of which the formula E=mc 2 was compiled.
Contribution to science
Einstein owns over three hundred scientific works. Among them - “ Quantum theory photoelectric effect" and "Quantum theory of heat capacity". This scientist predicted "Quantum teleportation" and gravitational waves. In the post-war period, a movement was created in the United States, whose participants opposed nuclear weapons. One of the organizers of this movement is Albert Einstein.
Brief biography and discoveries (table)
Event | Year |
Moving to Italy | 1894 |
Admission to the polytechnic | 1895 |
Obtaining Swiss citizenship | 1901 |
Publication of the article “On the electrodynamics of moving bodies” and work devoted to Brownian motion. | 1905 |
Quantum theory of heat capacity | 1907 |
Admission to the University of Berlin | 1913 |
General theory relativity | 1915 |
Receiving the Nobel Prize | 1922 |
Emigration | 1933 |
Meeting with Roosevelt | 1934 |
Death of second wife Elsa | 1936 |
Proposal for the reorganization of the UN State Assembly | 1947 |
Drafting an appeal against nuclear war(left unfinished) | 1955 |
Death | 1955 |
“I have completed my task on Earth” - words from the last letter that Albert Einstein addressed to his friends. The biography, a brief summary of which is presented in this article, belongs to a scientist and unusually wise and good man. He did not accept any form of personality cult, and therefore forbade lavish funerals. Great physicist passed away in 1955 in Princeton. IN last path Only close friends accompanied him.
Albert Einstein, Albert Einstein- the most prominent physicist of the 20th century, founder of the theory of relativity.
For discovering the law of the photoelectric effect to the world in 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (the idea of induced emission of atoms was later continued in the form of a laser).
He was the first to set forth the theory that gravity is nothing more than a distortion of space-time, which can explain many physical phenomena. Today's picture of the world largely rests on Einstein's laws. Einstein's personality has attracted enormous public attention since the publication of his special “theory of relativity” in 1905.
Biography
Physicist Albert Einstein of German, Swiss and American origin was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, a medieval town in the kingdom of Württemberg (now Baden-Württemberg in Germany), in the family of Hermann Einstein and Paulina Einstein, he grew up in Munich, there with his father and uncle there was a small electrochemical plant. He was a very quiet, absent-minded boy, with a penchant for mathematics, but could not tolerate the teaching methods at school, with its automatic cramming and rigid discipline.
In his early years spent at the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich, Albert himself began to study books on philosophy, mathematics and popular science literature. The idea of space made the greatest impression on him. When his father's affairs were poor in 1895, the family moved to Milan. However, Einstein remained in Munich, leaving the gymnasium without receiving a certificate, so he also joined his family.
I don't know what weapon the Third will be fought with world war, but in the Fourth they will use bows and arrows!
At one time, Einstein was struck by the atmosphere of freedom and culture that he was able to find in Italy. Despite his in-depth knowledge in the field of mathematics and physics, acquired through self-education and development, and independent thinking far beyond his age, Einstein never chose for himself suitable profession. His father wanted him to become an engineer and be able to feed his family.
But Albert tried to give in entrance exams to Federal technological institute in Zurich, for admission to which you did not need a special certificate of completion of high school.
He failed the exams, not having the necessary preparation, but the director of the school could not help but notice his talent and therefore sent him to Aarau, twenty miles west of Zurich, so that he could graduate from the gymnasium there. One year later, in the summer of 1896, Einstein successfully passed the entrance exams to the Federal Institute of Technology. In Aarau, Einstein flourished greatly, enjoying the close contacts with teachers and the liberal atmosphere that reigned in the gymnasium. He said goodbye to his past life with great desire.
Scientific life
In Zurich, Einstein began to study physics on his own, relying more on self-study material. At first he wanted to teach physics, but was unable to find a job and later became an expert at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern, where he served for about seven years. It was a very happy and productive time for him. His early work was devoted to the forces of interaction between molecules and applications of statistical thermodynamics. One of them, “A New Determination of the Size of Molecules,” was accepted as a doctoral dissertation by the University of Zurich, and in 1905 Albert Einstein was awarded the title of Doctor of Science.
Another paper proposed an explanation for the photoelectric effect - which is emitted by electrons from a metal surface when exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range.
The third, wonderful work of Einstein, which was published in 1905– was called the special theory of relativity, which managed to completely change the entire understanding of physics.
After he published most of For his scientific articles in 1905, Einstein received full academic recognition.
In 1914, Albert was invited to Germany to the position of professor at the University of Berlin and at the same time director Physical Institute Kaiser Wilhelm (now the Max Planck Institute).
After hard work Einstein succeeded in 1915 in establishing the general theory of relativity, which went far beyond special theory, in which the movements must be uniform and the relative speeds stable. The general theory of relativity covered all possible movements, including accelerated ones (that is, occurring at variable speeds).
Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity was able to replace Newton's theory of the gravitational attraction of bodies in the space-time segment. According to this theory, bodies are not able to attract each other, they change and determine the bodies passing through it. Einstein's colleague, physicist J. A. Wheeler, noted that "space tells matter itself how it needs to move, and matter tells space how it needs to curve."
In 1922, Einstein was awarded the 1921 Nobel Peace Prize in Physics “for services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”
“Einstein’s law has become the basis of photochemistry, just as Faraday’s law has become the foundation of electrochemistry,” said Svante Arrhenius from the Royal Swedish Academy at the presentation of the new laureate.
Since he said in advance that he was speaking in Japan, Albert was unable to attend the award ceremony and gave his Nobel lecture one year after he was awarded the award.
When Hitler came to power in 1933, Einstein was outside Germany, never returning there. Einstein found himself a professor of physics at the new Institute for Basic Research, which was created in Princeton (New Jersey). In 1940, Einstein was awarded American citizenship. During the Second World War, Einstein revised his pacifist views; in 1939, under the guidance of some emigrant physicists, Einstein addressed a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in which he wrote that Germany was most likely developing atomic bomb. He pointed out the need for American government support for uranium fission research.
After the Second World War, which shocked the world with the use of nuclear bomb against Japan, Einstein, shortly before his death, signed the Bertrand Russell Treaty indicating and warning the entire planet about the danger of using a nuclear bomb.
The most famous of all scientists of the 20th century. and one of the greatest scientists of all times, Albert Einstein enriched the entire theory and practice of physics with his unique play of imagination. From childhood, he perceived the earth as a harmonious, knowable whole, “standing before us like a great and eternal riddle.” By his own admission, he believed in “Spinoza’s God, who reveals himself in the harmony of all things.”
Among the many honors that were constantly offered to him, one of the most honorable was the offer to become President of Israel, which followed in 1952. Einstein refused. In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, he was awarded many other awards, including the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London (1925) and the Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute (1935). Einstein was honorary doctor of many universities and a member of leading academies of sciences.
Of course, Albert Einstein is one of the greatest and the smartest people throughout history, which gave our world many discoveries. Interesting fact is that when scientists studied his brain, it was discovered that those areas that are responsible for speech and language in anyone are reduced, and the areas responsible for computing abilities, on the contrary, are larger than those of the average person.
Other studies showed that he had significantly more neural cells and improved communication between them. This is what is responsible for human mental activity.
A successful person is always an amazing artist of his imagination. Imagination is much more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited, but imagination is unlimited.