PHYSICAL VIBRANT TIMELINE

Einstein's TIMELINE

1905

Miracle Year

1913

William Wallace Campbell’s Research

1907

Einstein Proposes the General Theory of Relativity

1914

beginning of world war I

1918

Kaiser Wilhelm Abdicates

Einstein's TIMELINE

1919

Scientific Developments

1920

Criticism and Doubt

1921

Einstein’s Global Fame

1922

1923

Einstein’s Marriage

Fame continues

1924

Further Research

1933

Einstein Leaves Germany

1955

Einstein’s Death

Post-1955

long-lasting legacy

• Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist renowned for his theory of relativity and the equation (E=mc^2).
• He was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, in Germany. He grows up in Munich, and from a young age, he is fascinated by science and mathematics.
• In 1894, Einstein’s family moves to Italy after their business fails. He remains in Munich to complete his education but later joins his family in Italy.
• Einstein enrolls at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, in 1896. During this time, he becomes friends with fellow student Mileva Marić, who would later become his first wife.
• He graduates in 1900, struggled to find a teaching position and to temporary worked as a tutor.
• Einstein begins working at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern in 1902, providing financial stability and leaves him with time to pursue scientific research on his own.

Einstein's Biography

After his expedition, Campbell emits doubts on Einstein's theory, later pushed aside by Eddington's photographs which show Einstein might be right.The announcement ignites widespread fascination outside the scientific community. As the news spreads, Einstein becomes a cultural icon, celebrated in magazines and newspapers.The German press highlights him as a new figure in world history, and public adoration begins to grow. Einstein expresses surprise at the attention, commenting on the chaotic media frenzy surrounding him.

Scientific Developments

Arthur Eddington: Arthur Eddington led an expedition to observe a solar eclipse on the island of Príncipe, off the coast of West Africa. The goal was to photograph stars near the Sun during the eclipse and test Einstein’s prediction that gravity would bend the light from these stars, causing their apparent positions to shift. Eddington's successful observations confirmed Einstein's theory, showing the deflection matched the predictions of general relativity. This confirmation marked a significant moment of collaboration between British and German scientists shortly after World War I, symbolizing a bridge of peace through scientific discovery.

During this year, Einstein begins working on the general theory of relativity, which introduced the concept that massive objects can warp spacetime.

Einstein Proposes the General Theory of Relativity

Despite the public acclaim, skepticism persists within the scientific community.Critics begin to equate Einstein’s newfound fame with the acceptance of his theory, which they argue is misguided. Concerns arise that Eddington may have been biased due to his motivations for peace and international cooperation, leading to accusations of potential manipulation of photographic results from the two solar eclipse expeditions.

Criticism and Doubt

• The photoelectric effect, introducing the concept of photons.
• Brownian motion, providing evidence for the existence of atoms.
• The special theory of relativity, leading to the famous equation E=mc2 , which challenges classical concepts of space and time.

In a prolific year, Einstein publishes four groundbreaking papers, including those on the photoelectric effect and special relativity, establishing himself as a leading physicist.

Miracle Year

Einstein's theory of the photoelectric effect, proposed that light behaves not only as a wave but also as a stream of particles called photons. He suggested that when light shines on a metal surface, it can eject electrons from that surface. The energy of these photons is proportional to the frequency of the light.This groundbreaking idea challenged the classical wave theory of light, which could not explain why increasing the brightness did not always result in the ejection of electrons. This theory provided key evidence for the quantum nature of light.

Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity transformed the understanding of space, time, and motion. It is based on two principles: the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion, and the speed of light is constant regardless of the observer's motion.From these, Einstein deduced that time and space are relative, leading to concepts like time dilation (time slows down for fast-moving objects) and length contraction (objects shorten in the direction of motion at high speeds). The famous equation E=mc² shows that mass and energy are interchangeable, forming the basis for modern nuclear physics.

By 1921, Einstein has become a scientific superstar, embarking on a "victory tour" of the world. His arrival in America is met with immense fanfare, with 15,000 people gathered to welcome him in lower Manhattan. He travels extensively across the East Coast and the Midwest, garnering adoration and attention from the public.Despite his fame, the debate over Einstein’s theory of relativity continues. As more attention is directed toward him, criticism increases, prompting calls for further testing of his theories. The anticipation builds as the scientific community prepares for the eclipse in Australia, which could either solidify or undermine Einstein's standing in the field of physics.

Einstein’s Global Fame

Einstein marries his cousin Elsa Löwenthal, who has supported him during difficult times. Their marriage, while unconventional, provides him companionship and stability. Elsa enjoys the status and recognition that comes from being Einstein’s wife, and the couple travels together, sharing in his newfound fame.

Einstein’s Marriage

Albert Einstein married Mileva Marić in 1903, and they had two sons, Hans Albert and Eduard. Their marriage faced challenges, including financial struggles and differing intellectual pursuits, leading to their separation in 1914 and eventual divorce in 1919. That same year, he married his cousin Elsa Löwenthal, who supported his career until her death in 1936.

Campbell organizes a renewed effort to observe a total solar eclipse in Australia, gathering a competitive group of astronomers from various countries. He aims to provide definitive evidence for Einstein's theory.The Nobel Committee finally awards Einstein the Nobel Prize in Physics, not for relativity, but for his work on the photoelectric effect, which has foundational implications for quantum mechanics.

Fame continues

The war disrupts international scientific collaboration. Many scientists, including Einstein, are unable to travel, hindering the advancement and verification of theoretical physics. Moreover, the war prevents Campbell's team from assisting to the eclipse in Crimea, delaying the proof of Einstein's theory. Einstein accepts an offer and moves to Berlin. This role promises him a research position without teaching responsibilities, granting him more freedom for his scientific pursuits. However, during the early months of the war, Berlin transforms into a city consumed by patriotic fervor. Einstein, who had envisioned a vibrant intellectual environment, is disillusioned by the rampant nationalism and militarism. Even his respected colleagues, such as Max Planck and Fritz Haber, support the war effort enthusiastically, contrasting sharply with Einstein's pacifist stance, further isolating him.Einstein was horrified by the eagerness of scientists, including Haber, to contribute to the war effort.

Beggining of World War I

Max Planck: Max Planck was a key figure in Einstein's scientific journey. As the founder of quantum theory, Planck's idea of energy quanta laid the foundation for Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect. Recognizing Einstein's talent early on, Planck supported his theories, including special relativity. Although Planck endorsed Einstein's work, he was initially cautious about the probabilistic aspects of quantum mechanics. Their collaboration marked a pivotal moment in modern physics.

The isolation Einstein suffers from, however, allows him to spend more time on his theory. During this period, he revisits his calculations and discovers that his earlier predictions about the bending of light were incorrect. This realization is critical, as his original calculations would have led to the discrediting of his theory had they been tested. This led to a mathematical race between Einstein and David Hilbert, a famous mathematician, both eager to find the correct equation before the other. After applying his new calculations to Mercury's orbit, Einstein is confident that he found the right equation, representing a milestone in the physics' world and considered by some as the most important advancement since Newton. A new expedition is organised to prove his theory and the eclipse in photographed by Campbell's team in June 1918.

Ending of the War

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity revolutionized the understanding of gravity. Unlike Newton's view of gravity as a force between masses, Einstein proposed that massive objects cause a curvature in space-time. This curvature tells objects how to move, leading to what we perceive as gravitational attraction.The theory predicts that massive bodies, like stars or planets, bend light as it passes near them, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. General relativity also introduced concepts such as black holes and the expansion of the universe, laying the foundation for modern cosmology.

David Hilbert: David Hilbert played a significant role in Einstein's development of the general theory of relativity. In 1915, as Einstein was refining his equations for gravity, Hilbert, a renowned mathematician, independently worked on a similar theory. The two engaged in a friendly but intense competition, with Hilbert using advanced mathematical techniques to derive equations closely related to Einstein's. Despite their rivalry, Hilbert ultimately recognized Einstein’s achievement and gave him credit for the final formulation of general relativity.

For Albert Einstein, the Earth’s orbit around the Sun illustrated his general theory of relativity. Einstein suggested that massive objects like the Sun warp spacetime, causing planets to follow curved paths in this warped geometry. This explained why the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path.

Astronomer Campbell begins to examine the gravitational deflection of light and expresses interest in testing Einstein's theories.

William Wallace Campbell’s Research

Einstein continues to develop his theories, delving into quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. His contributions shape the foundation of modern physics.Einstein's work laid the groundwork for numerous advancements in physics and cosmology. His theories continue to provide the framework for understanding complex phenomena such as black holes, neutron stars, and the Big Bang. Without his general theory of relativity, these concepts would be challenging to comprehend fully.

Further Research

With the rise of the Nazi regime, Einstein, a Jewish scientist, emigrates to the United States, settling in Princeton, New Jersey, where he continues his research and becomes a prominent voice in the scientific community.

Einstein Leaves Germany

Albert Einstein passed away on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76. However, his legacy endures far beyond his lifetime, with his ideas continuing to inspire generations of scientists, thinkers, and the general populace.

Einstein’s Death

Einstein's rise from humble beginnings to global renown serves as an example for all.He overcame adversity, including poverty and the turmoil of war, to become one of the most influential figures in human history. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting that success is achievable through intelligence and dedication, regardless of one's circumstances at birth.Over half a century after his death, Einstein remains a prominent cultural figure. His theories and persona continue to capture the imagination of people worldwide, symbolizing the potential for human achievement and the quest for knowledge.The closing sentiments celebrate Einstein's remarkable intellect and the profound impact he has had on the world. The applause signifies the recognition of his contributions to science and humanity, solidifying his status as a timeless icon of intellectual brilliance.

Long-lasting legacy