Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein at the age of three (1882)

Albert Einstein as a child

Albert Einstein's exam of maturity grades (color2)

Albert Einstein and his wife Mileva Maric

Albert Einstein and Elsa Einstein arriving by ship, San Diego, 1930 (cropped)

Albert Einstein (14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum mechanics). His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. He is best known to the general public for his mass–energy equivalence formula \\(E = mc^2\\), which has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation". He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect", a pivotal step in the development of quantum theory.

Early Life

Einstein was born in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire, on 14 March 1879. His parents were Hermann Einstein, a salesman and engineer, and Pauline Koch. In 1880, the family moved to Munich, where Einstein's father and his uncle Jakob founded Elektrotechnische Fabrik J. Einstein & Cie, a company that manufactured electrical equipment based on direct current.

Education

Einstein was initially educated at the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich. However, he felt alienated there and struggled with the institution's rigid pedagogical style. He left the gymnasium and moved to Italy to join his family, who had relocated there. He later completed his secondary education in Switzerland, where he enrolled at the Aargau Cantonal School. Einstein continued his education at the ETH Zurich, where he received a diploma to teach physics and mathematics in 1900.

Career and Scientific Achievements

In 1905, while working at the Swiss Patent Office, Einstein had his "Annus Mirabilis" – his miracle year – during which he published four groundbreaking papers. These papers contributed significantly to the foundation of modern physics and changed views on space, time, mass, and energy.

The first of these papers discussed the photoelectric effect, laying the groundwork for quantum theory. The second paper outlined the existence of "atoms" through his analysis of Brownian motion. His third paper introduced the theory of special relativity, which introduced the concept that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers, and that the speed of light within a vacuum is the same no matter the speed at which an observer travels. Finally, his fourth paper presented the equation \\(E = mc^2\\).

In 1915, Einstein completed his general theory of relativity, which provided a new description of gravity. His theory was confirmed during the solar eclipse of 1919, when British astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington observed the light from stars bending around the sun, just as Einstein had predicted.

Later Life and Legacy

Einstein emigrated to the United States in 1933, after the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. He took up a position at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, New Jersey, where he worked until his retirement in 1945. Einstein was a figure of public interest and was known for his pacifist and humanitarian views. He died on 18 April 1955 in Princeton, New Jersey.

Einstein's intellectual achievements and originality have made the word "Einstein" synonymous with "genius". His contributions to physics are still studied and revered, and he remains one of the most celebrated scientists in history.