Einstein's Scientific Achievements

Albert Einstein made many significant contributions to physics in his lifetime. In 1905 Einstein published four papers that contributed greatly to the founding of modern physics these papers are often called the Annus Mirabilis (Extraordinary Year) papers. He sent these papers to Annalen der Physik, the top German physics journal. In March of 1905, Albert Einstein proposed that light could act as if it consists of independent particles of energy. Einstein’s idea appeared as though it went against the universally accepted theory of light. It was thought that light consists of smoothly oscillating electromagnetic waves. However, he demonstrated that particles of energy, or light quanta as he called it, could help physicists better understand the phenomena they were studying. In May of 1905, the kinetic energy theory stated that heat was a result of atoms in motion. This theory was very well known and accepted, but Einstein suggested a way for the theory to be tested. He proposed that if particles were placed in a liquid the particles would start to move around. Einstein said this was because of the irregular bombardment by the liquid's atoms. He solidified the theory of kinetic energy and created a new technique for studying the movement of atoms. In September of 1905, Einstein, because of the theory of relativity, had a new idea. It can be summed up in this excerpt of a letter Einstein wrote to a friend: "The relativity principle in connection with the Maxwell equations demands that the mass is a direct measure for the energy contained in bodies; light transfers mass". He showed this in the famous equation E=mc². In this equation, “E” stands for energy “m” stands for mass and “c” stands for the speed of light.

Shor Term Influence

Albert Einstein had influenced many things, but one of the most important things he influenced was the making of the atomic bomb. Einstein did not work on the project directly, but his discoveries played a big part in the bombs creation. Einstein’s theory of relativity states that E=mc². This relation state that an incredibly large amount of energy can be taken out of a small amount of matter. This was fundamental in the creation of the bomb. Einstein also signed a letter addressed to Franklin Roosevelt, then president of the United States, that urged him to build a bomb.

Long Term Influence

Albert Einstein was the face of modern physics. One instance shows how Einstein became a household name and was the name most associated with physics. His theory of relativity said that when light passes an extremely big and dense body the light would bend. Einstein predicted that the starlight would be deflected, and was positive this would happen. In May of 1919, there was a total eclipse; this was the time to see if light would bend. It did, just as he predicted, the Starlight was deflected. When word of Einstein’s prediction of the eclipse being right spread, it spurred a sensation. Einstein was at the forefront of new and modern physics. He was overturning what was thought to be the true views energy, space, time and matter. Albert Einstein used his position as one of the best physicists to garner support for many causes that were unrelated to science, but still very important. One of the movements Einstein supported was Zionism. He wanted a homeland for the Jews. When Nazism started to grow and anti-Semitism gained support, he pushed even harder for a Jewish state. Einstein aided in the organization of a non-partisan group that supported a stand in opposition of fascism. He left Germany and renounced his citizenship in March of 1933.