Introduction
No study of physics is complete without a reference to Albert Einstein and his general theory of relativity that revolutionized the notions of space and time and the fresh understanding of gravity. It is this new understanding of space, time, and gravity that has enabled human development in several spheres of activity including our understanding of our universe and the interaction of the bodies present. (1).
Biography of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was born in 1897 into a middle-class family of German Jews. He did not talk until he was three years of age, which caused his parents to believe that this genius would be deficient in mental abilities. By the time he was fifteen Einstein was bored with the education provided through learning things by heart and under the strict supervision of the tutors. So he gave up his high school studies. He wandered around before finally entering the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, even though he had not passed his high school. At the institute, he enjoyed the practical and skipped the theoretical classes. Yet, he graduated exceptionally well. Finding a job was hard and he landed up as a patent examiner in 1900, which was also the year he got married.
Over the next five years, he also devoted his energies to the creation of his theories of relativity in four fundamental papers, which he published in 1905. In 1909 Einstein took up his first full-time job in his favorite subject of physics as an assistant professor in physics at the University of Zurich. The next few years saw Einstein continuing as an academician, with the only change being the change in 1914, when he shifted from teaching to research. In 1915 Einstein published his revolutionary general theory of relativity.
The aftermath of the First World War saw turmoil in Germany and Einstein dabbled in politics from 1918. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1921. By 1933 the Nazis had gained power in Germany. Disillusioned by this Einstein moved to the United States of America and joined the U.S.A and joined the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton. The possibility of the development of the atom bomb led to Einstein voicing his opposition to it to the President of the U.S.A in 1939. He also became an American citizen in the same year. In 1952 he was offered the post of President by Israel, which he turned down. He died in 1955. (1).
Contributions of Albert Einstein
Einstein’s contributions to the study of physics are many. His special theory of relativity helps in the reconciliation of the two branches of physics in mechanics and electromagnetism. In his general theory of relativity, the principle of relativity is extended into non-uniform motion, which leads to a new understanding of gravitation and removes the anomalies that physics faced with the Newtonian theories on gravity. His theories have also made contributions to the understanding of relativistic cosmology, capillary action, and critical opulence. His works have helped in resolving the traditional problems that existed between statistical mechanics and its application to quantum theory and provided an explanation for the Brownian movement of molecules. He has also contributed in the areas of atomic transition probabilities and the quantum theory of mono-atomic gas. His works also contributed to laying the foundation for the photon theory, the conception of the unified field theory, and the geometrization of physics. (2).
Relevance of Albert Einstein
In his early life Einstein gave up the traditional model of education in trying to stuff down what was already known and the lack of encouragement provided for innovative thinking. His refusal to go down this well-trodden path allowed him to think outside of the traditional knowledge. (2). This was to prove useful when he turned his attention to molecular reality and the molecular basis of statistical physics in which the then existent theoretical physics frameworks and the results of observations and experiments differed. The result was the contributions that he made that had a profound impact on all the human development that is seen around us in the various fields of physics, mathematics, and astronomy. The example that Einstein has set has led to encouragement for innovative thinking in the field of education and the many things like space travel that we today take for granted. (3).
My Impression of Albert Einstein
This study of the biography of Albert Einstein has provided me with several insights and enlightened me. The first is that there is more to learn and experience than what is already known. The second is that innovative thinking and extending this thinking into the deeper planes will assist me in applying the current body of knowledge to develop a better understanding of physics. My final insight is that many of the fruits of physics that we enjoy in our everyday lives are the results of scientists thinking outside the box to provide greater insights into the mysteries of the world that we live in.
Works Cited
- “Albert Einstein in Brief”. The Center for History of Physics. 2009. Web.
- Biographiq. Albert Einstein: The Man Behind the Theories (Biography) Filiquarian Publishing, LLC, 2008.
- Pais, Abraham & Penrose, Roger. Subtle Is the Lord: The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2005.