Study Guide: Einstein and the Theory of Relativity
Einstein
- March 14, 1879: Born in Ulm, Germany. Full name is Hans Albert Einstein.
- Very imaginative and dreamy as a child.
- Was considered a poor and disobedient student in school because he asked too many questions.
- Always enjoyed spending time alone, hiking in the woods, and thinking.
- Enjoyed playing the violin.
- Loved learning math.
- Studied in Milan, Italy, where his curiosity and questions were welcome.
- Wrote several scientific papers at an early age, but they were ignored due to his youth.
- 1905: A year sometimes described as his annus mirabilis (‘miracle year’), Einstein published four groundbreaking papers.
- Moved to Switzerland, where he was very happy and met his first wife.
- Had an odd appearance because he did not care what others thought of appearances. Did not comb his hair; often forgot his keys; often forgot to eat.
- Returned to Germany where he met his second wife, Ilse.
- Developed the Theory of Relativity, $E = mc^2$, which unified our understanding of energy, matter and light.
- Moved to the US due to threats on his life by the Nazis.
- Recommended that the US develop the atomic bomb because although he opposed militarism, he felt it would be even worse if the Nazis developed it first.
- Supported the creation of Israel as a homeland for Jews (and all others of the region).
- Opposed the creation of a Jewish state with a military and borders because of his fear of what extreme nationalism would do to Judaism.
- Condemned Zionist acts of terrorism against Palestinians.
- Was happily married for many years to Ilse, and until her death.
- July 9, 1955: Signed the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, warning about the dangers nuclear weapons
- In later years, lived quietly alone in Princeton, and continued to play his violin.
- April 8, 1955: Died quietly while working on an equation.
Science Sources
- https://www.space.com/17661-theory-general-relativity.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_relativity
- https://www.livescience.com/58245-theory-of-relativity-in-real-life.html
- https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/what-relativity-einstein-s-mind-bending-theory-explained-ncna865496
- https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/einsteins-theories-relativity
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/einstein-relativity-thought-experiment-train-lightning-genius
- https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/einstein-general-relativity-theory-questioned-ghez
Humanitarian Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_views_of_Albert_Einstein
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%E2%80%93Einstein_Manifesto
- https://pugwash.org/1955/07/09/statement-manifesto/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05004-4
- https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=33590
Video: Albert Einstein (11 min)
Video: Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (13 min)
Video: Einstein — Theory of Relativity (49 min)
Related
Source: https://class.ronliskey.com/study/physics-8/8-1-13-einstein/