Albert+Einstein

=Albert Einstein=



Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) is famously known for his meticulous research in the fields of Math and Science. He was a physicist, mathematician, philosopher, professor, lecturer, and author, who was honored with countless awards, received a Nobel Prize in Physics, and is recognized as one of the most famous scientists in the world. Most notably, he is known for his research on the photoelectric effect (with which resulted in superior recognition via the Nobel Prize), his theories of general and special relativity, and his research in mass and energy relationships. His research was often published, as well as his motivational, prolific, and philosophical public comments. The majority of Einstein’s contributions were for the fields of Math and Science (mainly Physics), but he also contributed to the field of Astronomy, both indirectly and directly. Einstein has often been characterized as a simple man with a large head and disheveled hair. However, most commonly he is considered a genius.

§ Einstein’s life § Contributions to Astronomy o Special Theory of Relativity o General Theory of Relativity § Conclusion § Fun Facts § References § Additional Resources

Einstein’s Life
Albert Einstein was born in the German Empire city of Ulm on March 14, 1879. Currently, there is no record of Einstein’s middle name. His parents were Hermann and Pauline Einstein, and he also had a sister, Maria Einstein. Einstein attended elementary school and secondary school in Germany in the top percentile of his class. The original plan was for him to learn the family business (develop a career in engineering), but his heart and mind were more moved by Math and Science. His family moved around Italy, but Einstein attended ETH Zurich (even though he failed the university’s entrance exam at first). He graduated and then attended the Polytechnic in Zurich. He received his Doctorate from the University of Zurich. Later on, Einstein married Mileva Maric (having one daughter before they married). The couple then had two sons after they were married. Eventually, their marriage dissolved and they divorced. Einstein then married his cousin, Elsa Lowenthal, who died eighteen years before Einstein, and adopted her two daughters.

Einstein often traveled to various countries, while he lived in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and The United States of America. He taught at the University of Zurich, Karl-Ferdinand University, Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, and Princeton. Einstein’s research formally began in college as a student, but continued throughout his life. Early in his life, “His father once showed him a pocket compass; Einstein realized that there must be something causing the needle to move, despite the apparent “empty space,” [[|1]]. His father may not have realized that giving his son a compass would spark a lifetime career.

Contributions to Astronomy
Although Einstein’s scientific research progressed modern Physics for the most part, his research was also applied to Astronomy. Einstein stated that “the most astonishing thing about the universe is that we can understand it at all,” [2]. Einstein’s confidence in understanding the universe in its entirety gave him the motivation to study the universe.

Special Theory of Relativity


A research paper written by Einstein in 1905 starts, in part, with the theory of relativity. The theory of relativity states that “measurements of motion, as well as measurements of time and space, makes sense only when we describe whom or what they are being measured relative to,” [3]. From there, Einstein conducted several thought experiments (situational experiments) to provide evidence to support the theory. The constant would remain the speed of light throughout, while time, mass, and distance would be the observed variables. The theory is focused on motion. The speed of one motion is then compared to the motion of another. Time, mass, and distance will all affect the comparison of the two (or more) motions. The two motions will always be traced back to the speed of light, which is universal. Also universal is the law of nature. This forms the two postulates of the special theory of relativity – “1. The speed of light is the same for all observers, no matter what their relative speeds; and 2. The laws of physics are the same in any inertial (that is, non-accelerated) frame of reference. This means that the laws of physics observed by a hypothetical observer traveling with a relativistic particle must be the same as those observed by an observer who is stationary in the laboratory,” [[|4]]. While the speed of light will remain constant, time, mass, and distance will differ. “ The law of transmission of light, the acceptance of which is justified by our actual knowledge, played an important part in this process of thought,” [[|5]]. While Einstein was conducting his experiments, he purposely ignored the concept of gravity, which in turn made his research on the theory of relativity “special” [6].

General Theory of Relativity
To avoid an abundance of criticism to his Special Theory of Relativity, Einstein also proposed the General Theory of Relativity in 1916, which included the concept of a gravitational field. Again through thought experiments, models, and previous research (from Galileo and Newton), Einstein was able to recognize that gravity affects the entire universe. This theory identifies that: § Gravity arises from distortions of spacetime. It is not a mysterious force that acts at a distance. The presence of mass causes the distortions, and the resulting distortions determine how other objects move through spacetime. § Time runs slowly in gravitational fields. The stronger the gravity, the more slowly time runs. § Black holes can exist in spacetime, and falling into a black hole means leaving the observable universe. § The universe has no boundaries and no center, yet it might still have a finite volume. § Large masses that undergo rapid changes in motion or structure emit gravitational waves that travel at the speed of light [7]. These statements gave insight into what the universe is like, how it moves, and how objects in the universe move in relation to one another, with regards to gravity.

Conclusion
Albert Einstein’s remarkable and influential career led to knowledge thought to be unreachable. Much of his work is still current today. Modern scientists often base their studies on research from Einstein, recreate his experiments, and alter his experiments to lead to new knowledge. Nevertheless, Einstein’s research is a continuing project in progress.

Fun Facts
§ Einstein was asked to be the President of Israel, but he declined. § Einstein’s brain was removed after he passed away so that it could be preserved and studied. § Einstein enjoyed music and was a violinist. § Einstein had a speech impediment when he was a young child.

References (text)
1. "Albert Einstein." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 23 July 2010. Web. 7 July 2010. . 2. Plait, Philip C. Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax" New York: Wiley, 2002. 151. Print. 3. Bennett, Jeffrey O. The Cosmic Perspective. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2010. 406. Print. 4. "Theory: Special Relativity (SLAC VVC)." SLAC Public Website Server. Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy of, 15 June 2009. Web. 21 July 2010. . 5. Lawson, Robert W., trans. Relativity - The Special and General Theory. New York: Bartleby.com, 2000. Bartleby.com. Web. 16 July 2010. . 6. "What's So Special About Relativity?" NCSA Web Archive. Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois, 28 Aug. 1995. Web. 8 July 2010. . 7. Bennett, Jeffrey O. The Cosmic Perspective. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2010. 428-29. Print.

References (photos)
a. Young Albert Einstein. Photograph. Web. 25 July 2010. . b. Photograph. Professor Olsen @ Large. Wordpress.com. Web. 25 July 2010. . c. Photograph. Albert Einstein for Kids. Wesleyan University. Web. 25 July 2010. . d. Photograph. Wordpress.com. Web. 25 July 2010. . e. Photograph. The Special Theory of Relativity. Web. 25 July 2010.  f. Photograph. A Year in the Life of Gravity Probe B. Stanford Report. Web. 25 July 2010. . g. Photograph. Albert Einstein Quotes. Web. 25 July 2010. .

Additional Resources
[|A Visualization of Einstein's special relativity] [|Science Questions: Einstein's Theory of Relativity Explained] [|Einstein's General Theory of Relativity (Lecture Series)]