Abstract This paper examines the confluence of human imagination and scientific inquiry that informed the work of Albert Einstein. The author notes that Einstein's imagination, which made him appear like a distracted, daydreaming and unpromising child and young adult, was vitally important in allowing him to unlock the answers to questions that had dogged scientists for generations. The paper explores the stunning impact of Einstein's Annus Mirabilis.
From the Paper "Whether he desired it or not, Albert Einstein's name has become irrevocably linked with physics in the Twentieth Century. The reason for this, of course, is Einstein's Theory of Relativity, which, when first conceived early in the Twentieth Century, changed profoundly how man viewed the world and universe around him. This paper takes the opportunity to explore the stunning impact of Einstein's Annus Mirabilis and, much more importantly, emphasize how Einstein's oft-misunderstood creativity - a creativity that was confused with aimlessness by his elementary school educators and university instructors alike - was at the heart of his mathematical genius."
Abstract This paper looks at the way Alan Lightman's novel, "Einstein' Dreams", handles Einstein's theory of the relativity of time, mainly the "elasticity" of time. The paper discusses this in terms of how it relates to adult cognitive development.
From the Paper "Alan Lightman's book "Einstein's Dreams" is a novel that plays with Einstein's theory of the relativity of time. There is a proverb that says "a watched pot never boils". It requires some level of cognitive development to understand this proverb. It does not mean that the water in the pot will never boil. Depending on the level of heat applied to the pot, the water could boil in as quick a time as three minutes. However, for someone who stands over the pot and ..."
Tags: developmental psychology, Alan Lightman, Einstein's Dreams
Abstract The paper discusses how Albert Einstein's scientific genius rendered him the most famous scientist of the 20th century but contends that his intense humanism probably resulted in his status as a cultural icon. The paper relates that it is sometimes not realized that Einstein lamented his breakthrough in relativity and the splitting of the atom that permitted the Allies to create the atomic bomb that ended World War II and heralded our nuclear age.
From the Paper "Much rhetoric has been written on how scientific discoveries reshape a period and sometimes an entire culture. Gerald Holton notes that Einstein's scientific papers on relativity, statistical mechanics and quantum physics in the first two decades of the 20th century, "caused remarkable and sometimes quite unforeseen cultural transformations and resonances" (p. 125). Of course, Albert Einstein is credited with the theory of general relativity to revolutionize the sciences into the 21st century and the new orientation of relativity would strongly affect the social sciences, plus the world of arts and letters."
Abstract This natural science paper is comprised of three parts. The first part of the paper sets up the basic premise of a dramatic dialogue between Edison and Einstein. The second part is a dramatic dialogue between Edison and Einstein. The final part of the paper is an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "Thomas Edison (1847-1931) was one of the most prolific and important inventors in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th Century. As a scientist Edison was more interested in designing products that would be useful for the average person. This means that Edison is a believer in technology and does not put a lot of stock in theory. As an inventor Edison is also a business man. "
Abstract This paper discusses how 1905 proved to be the most significant year in Einstein's development of theory. The paper explores the reasons why the science world was reluctant to accept his ideas. It explains that the world had been accustomed to theories in science that were believed to be the complete answers to concepts.
From the Paper "1905 proved to be the most significant year in Einstein's development of theory, according to Lightman. The world had been accustomed to theories in science that were believed to be the complete answers to concepts that would remain as cornerstones of the scientific community for eternity. This is why that when the publication of Einstein's 5 seminal papers occurred the professionals within this community were reluctant to accept any of the young patent clerk's ideas. Lightman contends that it took nearly four more years following the publication of the papers before the scientific community began to realize that Einstein's theories demonstrated answers to questions that had only been explored. Lightman describes the 5 seminal papers by stating, Two provided definitive new evidence for the existence and sizes of atoms and molecules; two proposed a radical new conception of time and ..."
Abstract This paper discusses what makes Albert Einstein a hero. The writer claims that according to the definitions in Webster's Dictionary, Einstein was indeed a hero of the world community. The paper gives examples from the life and work of Albert Einstein to show that, unlike heroes of legend, Einstein was a modern hero.
From the Paper "Because of the anti-semitism he experienced and his dislike of the German military character, Einstein renounced his German citizenship in 1896 and was granted Swiss citizenship in 1901. He attended college in Zurich graduating in 1900 as a teacher of mathematics. In 1905 he earned a doctorate from the University of Zurich. It was also in 1905 that he wrote his revolutionary paper on the special theory of relativity. By 1909 he was recognized as a leading scientific thinker. In 1914 he returned to Germany to take up a prestigious research post. Einstein received the Nobel Prize in 1921 not for his theory of relativity but for his work on the photoelectric effect. He accepted a post at Princeton University and came to the United States in 1932, becoming a citizen in 1940 (Mathematicians/Einstein)."
Tags: mathematics, legend, science, research, Nobel
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of Albert Einstein. Specifically the paper discusses Einstein's life and his scientific achievements. The paper reports that Einstein discovered the 'Theory of Relativity' and is often known as the "father" of the atomic bomb. The paper further discusses how Einstein's life is a model to scientists and physicists today, and a valuable lesson in what one person can accomplish in his lifetime.
From the Paper "Einstein also helped to develop Quantum Theory, which "deals with the laws that describe how matter is built out of these elementary particles and what the forces are between them as revealed in spectral lines, in radioactive phenomena, or in the process of fission. The story of modern physics is in great part that of quantum theory" (Infeld 85). The use of Quantum Theory and continued study into it by other scientists eventually led to the development of atomic fission, and later, the development of the atomic and bomb. Einstein always regretted the part he played in the development of the bomb, as he was a lifelong pacifist. In fact, he co-wrote a famous book, "Why War?" with Sigmund Freud in 1932 that became classic anti-war literature. Another writer states, "The 'Why War?' letters, organized by Einstein, were written at the behest of the International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation, a committee of the League of Nations" (Dunn 112). Einstein saw the potential of harnessing atomic principles to create nuclear power, but always felt regret over his role in the atomic arms race. He spent the remainder of his life studying many different projects. One however, eluded him. Another scientist writes, "Einstein, who had already united space, time and gravity in his theories, certainly believed this and spent the latter half of his life seeking--unsuccessfully--'a theory of everything' that would combine quantum physics and relativity" (Mckie). That work today is evolving into another theory of physics - string theory, which shows his influence is still felt around the world today."
Abstract The paper traces Einstein's formative years, focusing on the difficulties he encountered at school. The paper analyzes the way his Theory of Relativity affected many areas of life in Einstein's day, such as science, the arts and the production of weapons of mass destruction. It also examines the fact that since Einstein's theories have never been disproved, most modern scientific research is still based upon his theories.
From the Paper "Einstein will likely be remembered for into the future for the scientific contributions he made, but it is important that those who steadily Einstein and admire his work also realize that he was an individual with thoughts and feelings of his own. He was generally a pacifist and a humanitarian who even renounced his German citizenship when the Nazis took over Germany. He came to the United States instead, and spent his days in New Jersey, where he continued to work on various scientific theories and other notable information. Albert Einstein passed away in 1955, and the scientific community suffered a great loss that day."
Tags: quantum, physics, gravitation, light, space, energy
Abstract This paper will discuss the thesis, and the ways that evaluate "Einstein's German World" by Fritz Stern. By understanding the way that Albert Einstein lived in pre-Word war II Germany, and was affected by the way that the fascist system worked. Stern also, tries to make historical perspectives on how Germany was in this time, and tries to tie it into the way that a biography can relate to Einstein.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that in the late 17th Century, Sir Isaac Newton, one of the greatest geniuses of all time, ushered in the age of enlightenment with his scientific work and methods. As the years went on after that, humanity's hopes were dashed, as it became apparent that human intellect could not compensate for, or prevent, man's inhumanity to man. By the early 20th century, people were witnessing the first great world war, and many must have despaired. However, the writer points out that Albert Einstein, a man whose stature rivaled that of Newton, bought renewed hope in that troubled century. Indeed, Einstein personified the human intelligence and achievement that transformed the earth in the 20th century. In this century, humans went from foot or horse-drawn transportation to cars, trains, airplanes and space flight. People became supermen and superwomen, thanks to the ability of the human brain to make massive technological advances. The writer maintains that of all people in that century - and the competition was certainly strong - Einstein most of all personified human genius.
From the Paper "Einstein was thus perfectly placed to become the icon of human achievement in the 20th century. On a more negative note, this was also the century when the atomic bomb was invented and deployed - and this meant that humanity discovered it not only had the capacity to perfect the planet, but it also had the capacity to destroy the planet. The atomic bomb was made possible by the Einstein scientific discoveries in the fields of what has come to be known as Newtonian physics. Yet despite Einstein's key role in developing this horrific weapon, and the fact that he has been dead for more than 50 years, he is still remembered by many with reverence and love as a cultural icon, such that his face is almost as familiar as Ronald McDonald's. How can we account for this?"
Abstract This paper describes and explains Einstein's theory of relativity - the single most influential physical theory of the 20th century. The author of this paper also adds the note that although many scientists have recently criticized Einstein's theory it has never been disproved. Additionally, the paper provides details of Einstein's paper 'On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies' in which he wrote about his special theory of relativity, which he derived from the laws of physics.
From the Paper "Einstein derived his theory from two postulates. The first was that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames. To accept this we have to accept that all laws of physics are comprised of the laws of mechanics, electromagnetic and optics. Before Einstein's theory absolute motion was accepted. Absolute motion is motion relative to a fixed point on the Earth's surface or to a fixed celestial point. This cannot be detected according to his postulate. As an example if you were sitting on a train that was moving with constant velocity, that had no windows and you had no equipment to measure its velocity, you couldn't prove if you were moving at all or at what velocity you were moving at. Motion is always measured relative to something else. In the case of the train relative to a train platform or some other stationary object. Because there is no absolute reference frame (no reference frame is preferred over any other), absolute motion cannot be determined. His second postulate states that the speed of light in a vacuum is equal to the value of c, independent of the motion of the source."
Abstract This paper examines in brief the life of this great thinker- his childhood, upbringing and education. It also looks at his scientific contributions and the significant and continuing ways that he has influenced European thought along with American.
From the paper:
"Einstein's efforts in behalf of social causes have sometimes been viewed as unrealistic. In fact, his proposals were always carefully thought out. Like his scientific theories, they were motivated by sound intuition based on a shrewd and careful assessment of evidence and observation. Although Einstein gave much of himself to political and social causes, science always came first, because, he often said, only the discovery of the nature of the universe would have lasting meaning"
Abstract The author states that, in the early days, the basic principle of Einstein's relativity was confusing to the public and to scientists. The paper continues that the theory should not be different from the idea it conveys: Every motion must only be considered as a relative motion. Examples are presented. The paper concludes by reviewing the book, ?Einstein, History, and Other Passions? by Gerald Holton.
From the Paper "This principle not only maintains that it may equally be well to choose the carriage or the embankment as our reference-body for the description of any event. The principle rather asserts what follows: If we formulate the general laws of nature as they are obtained from experience, by making use of the embankment as reference-body, the railway carriage as reference-body, then these general laws of nature (e.g. the laws of mechanics or the law of the propagation of light in vacuum) have exactly the same form in both cases."
Abstract This paper explains that Albert Einstein was just as serious about his science as he was his Jewish roots. It discusses the way religion played a role in Einstein's life.
From the Paper "Much is known of Albert Einstein, the scientist. He is regarded as one of the most creative thinkers this world has seen. But there are many facets to Professor Albert Einstein. He was a humanitarian, a political activist, a father. One aspect of Einstein that is often disregarded is his life as a Jew. Albert was raised as a boy in Judaism and his dedication carried into his adulthood. Albert's activity in the Jewish doctrine helped to define who he was and how he acted. Without this, he may not have been the amazing achiever that we know him as today."
Abstract This paper primarily takes a look at how astronomy has been revolutionized by Einstein's relativity theory. It discusses the different methods of space travel and celestial observations and looks at the three basic parts of Einstein's relativity: time dilation, relativity of mass, and length contraction, as well as dealing with the implications these ideas have had on the macroworld, namely astronomy, and the microworld, often on the submolecular level.
From the Paper "Special relativity, which is described first here, is more applicable to microscopic physics and situations that involve inertial frames of reference. Inertial frames of reference are scenarios where on object remains at rest in one frame and another object in a different frame moves at a constant velocity with respect to the first object. The three major tenets of Einstein's special relativity are time dilation, relativity of mass, and length contraction. The equations that sprung from the concepts Einstein discussed in these three topics bridged Newtonian physics, or more accurately, refined it to the modern physics that is used today. However, because the physical concepts that Newton developed are applicable in most "everyday" situations, it is still widely used in most areas of science."
