Albert Einstein
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Albert Einstein | |
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| Born | 14 March 1879 |
| Died | 18 April 1955 |
| Nationality | German-born; later Swiss and American |
| Occupation | Physicist |
| Known for | Theory of relativity; contributions to quantum theory |
| Notable work | Special and general relativity; photoelectric effect |
Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was a theoretical physicist whose work fundamentally altered the understanding of space, time, energy, and gravity. He is best known for developing the theory of relativity, which became a cornerstone of modern physics.
Einstein’s contributions extended beyond relativity to include foundational work in quantum theory and statistical mechanics.
Early life and education
Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879. He showed early interest in mathematics and physics and later studied at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich.
After graduating, Einstein worked in technical and academic roles before securing a position at the Swiss Patent Office, where he continued independent scientific research.
Annus mirabilis
In 1905, Einstein published a series of papers addressing the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special relativity, and mass–energy equivalence. These works significantly advanced multiple areas of physics.
One of these papers introduced the equation relating mass and energy, which became widely influential.
Relativity
Einstein developed the theory of special relativity to describe the behavior of objects moving at constant speeds, redefining concepts of space and time. He later expanded this framework into the theory of general relativity, which describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime.
General relativity has been confirmed by numerous experimental observations and remains a central theory in gravitational physics.
Quantum theory
Although Einstein is often associated with relativity, he also made key contributions to early quantum theory. His explanation of the photoelectric effect demonstrated the particle-like behavior of light.
Despite these contributions, Einstein expressed reservations about certain interpretations of quantum mechanics.
Later life
Einstein emigrated to the United States in the 1930s, where he held a research position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He continued scientific work and public engagement until his death in 1955.
Legacy
Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history. His theories reshaped fundamental physics and continue to inform research in cosmology, particle physics, and gravitational science.
His work also influenced broader cultural and philosophical discussions about the nature of reality and scientific knowledge.