Category: Albert Einstein

In this essay, I will present the key scientists who studied the atomic theory and their contributions to science.

Democritus

Democritus lived in 5th century B.C. in Greece. “Democritus knew that if a stone was divided in half, the two halves would have essentially the same properties as the whole. Therefore, he reasoned that if the stone were to be continually cut into smaller and smaller pieces then, at some point, there would be a piece which would be so small as to be indivisible. He called these small pieces of matter ‘atomos’, which translates to indivisible in English”. Democritus believe that atoms were different sizes and shapes, but were also in constant motion. Democritus’ theory of atoms followed many principles such as: atoms are indestructible, atoms always have been and always will be in constant motion, between atoms there lies empty space, and many more. Democritus was also the first philosopher to posit what we now know as ‘The Milky Way’.

Joseph John Thomson

Thomson was born December 18, 1856 in Manchester England. In 1897, he discovered the electron by experimenting with a crooke, or tube. From this he realized that the accepted model of an atom did not account for negatively or positively charged particles. So, he opted to create a new model using plum pudding. The raisins represented the negative electrons and the dough represented the positive charged particles. Though years later, his own student had proven his plum pudding model incorrect.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie was born November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. Many think the fact that her father was a physics teacher contributed to her interest in science. Curie discovered radioactivity. She was studying uranium rays, when she made the claim the rays were not dependent on the uranium’s form, but on its atomic structure. This formed a new field of study called atomic physics. In this she called her new discovery ‘radioactivity’. She also discovered Radium and Polonium through her work with pitchblende.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was born March 14, 1879 in Germany. Einstein became famous for his ‘Theory of Relativity’, which was the basis of ‘The Atomic Theory’. The third paper he published focused on the movements of tiny particles in a liquid or gas. This was renown as ‘Brownian motion’. This paper he wrote on Brownian motion confirmed the atomic theory. In 1921 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Erwin Schrodinger

Erwin Schrödinger was born August 12, 1887 in Vienna, Austria. In 1926, Erwin and a friend Werner Heisenberg took the model Neils Bohr created a step further. He used mathematical equations to describe the chance of finding an electron in a certain position. Before the math came though, he created an ‘Electron Cloud Model’. This consisted of a dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons at different levels of orbit. He used the math to see if his theory would work and it did. Using the model and putting the math together he came up with what are now called lobes.

Antoine Lavoisier

Antoine Lavoisier was born in 1743. He is most famous for ‘The Law of Conservation Of Matter’. Between 1772 and 1794 he discovered that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction. From this we know why matter is conserved, atoms cannot be destroyed nor created, only transferred. He discovered Hydrogen and Oxygen. By the end of the eighteenth century, Lavoisier had published 13 more elements to the list of 11 that were already known.

Ernest Rutherford

Ernest Rutherford was born August 30, 1871 in Spring Grove, New Zealand. He discovered that atoms have a small charged nucleus surrounded by empty space and are circled by electrons. In 1912, Bohr joined Rutherford at Manchester and adapted Rutherford’s nuclear structure with Planck’s quantum theory and came up with an atomic structure that is still valid to this day. In 1919, Rutherford was the first person to transmute one element into another. He is also credited with the discovery of the proton, when he noticed the signatures of hydrogen nuclei being emitted during this process.

James Chadwick

James Chadwick was born October 20, 1891. In 1932 Chadwick discovered the neutron. He experimented by observing beryllium as it hit paraffin wax. This caused radiation to eject from it and Chadwick hypothesized that it was in fact a neutral particle. In 1935 he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Neils Bohr

Neils Bohr was born in Copenhagen in 1885. He was always very interested in physics. In 1913 Bohr published his quantized shell model of the atom to explain how electrons can have stable orbits around the nucleus. Perhaps Bohr’s greatest contribution though was his atomic model that showed electrons orbit the nucleus in an atom. It also showed why they emit light in fixed wavelengths.

Werner Heisenberg

Werner Heisenberg was born December 5, 1901 in Germany. Heisenberg created his uncertainty principle. This stated that an electrons velocity and location cannot possibly be known simultaneously. This is because an electrons mass is so tiny that trying to observe it with any kind of light would cause it to move. In 1932, Heisenberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the creation of Quantum Mechanics.

John Dalton J.J

John Dalton was born September 6, 1766, in Eaglesfield, England. With his experiments and research into gases, Dalton discovered that certain gases could only be combined in certain proportions. The experiments further built two of the most used laws today. The law of conservation of mass, and the law of definite proportions. After studying these laws, Dalton came up with his own law: the law of multiple proportions. “This law states that if two elements can be combined to form a number of possible compounds, then the ratios of the masses of the second element, which combine with a fixed mass of the first element, will be ratios of small whole numbers”.

Robert Millikan

Robert Millikan was born March 22, 1868 in Morrison, Illinois. In 1909 Millikan started a series of experiments to determine the electric charge carried by a single electron. He began by measuring the course of charge water droplets in one electric field. His results suggested that the charge on the droplets is a multiple of the elementary electric charge. Though the experiment wasn’t accurate enough to be used. So, in 1910 he got more precise results doing his oil-drop experiment.

Max Planck

Max Planck was born April 23, 1858 in Germany. He best known for being the originator of the ‘Quantum Theory of Energy’. His work in thermodynamics led to his formulation of the quantum theory. While doing his research he came up with the same problems as other scientists, classic physics couldn’t explain his results. So, with this in mind he created an equation to explain his results. “E=Nhf, with E=energy, N=integer, h=constant, f=frequency. In determining this equation, Planck came up with the constant (h), which is now known as ‘Planck’s constant’”.

Louis De Broglie

Louis De Broglie was born August 15, 1892 in France. Louis discovered the ‘wave nature’ of electrons. He called it the ‘Wave-Particle Theory’. It said that all matter has wave properties. “Putting together Planck’s equations (quantization of energy: E = hν) and Einstein’s (special relativity: E = mc2), de Broglie calculated what the length of these matter waves associated with each particle would be, depending on its velocity and mass”. In this our world is quantum not just light. If an electron were like wave, it would have to display properties of a wave. This hypothesis was demonstrated by the electron diffraction experiment of Davisson and Germer (1927), thus confirming the hypothesis of de Broglie. Later in 1929, Broglie was awarded the Nobel Prize for this finding.

The first stages of a child’s development is very critical. Some say that these stages are the most important stages in shaping your personality and ability to function. When a child grows at the rate of their developmental benchmarks, it means the child is developing at the average speed. Some factors that could speed up a child’s development are factors such as the child’s environment, cognitive ability, and child motivation/support from parents. Unfortunately, some children don’t always meet these developmental benchmarks. Some children have a slow or delayed development that affect social and educational aspects of their life.

One historical person that did not meet the ‘developmental benchmarks’ was Albert Einstein. Einstein syndrome is a diagnosis used to children who visual skills develop faster than their speech. These types of children can also be referred to as ‘late talkers’. Albert Einstein was also a late talker, hence why the syndrome is named after him. Einstein did not speak until he was 9 years old. Although he couldn’t speak, he was very smart and was always interested in the laws of science but not everybody believed in him like teachers. They believed he wouldn’t amount to anything. Albert Einstein is the perfect example of someone who did not meet ‘developmental benchmarks’, but still had a great impact on society. Albert Einstein is known to be the ‘Father of the Modern Science Age’. One of his most famous creations was the equation E= mc2, which was used in creating the atomic bomb.

One current person that did not meet the ‘developmental benchmark’ is Steven Spielberg. Steven Spielberg was born with dyslexia, which is a learning disability. A child with dyslexia will have trouble reading, writing, etc. Their learning process would take a much longer time than it would with someone who doesn’t have dyslexia. Growing up with dyslexia, Spielberg had a tough time in school. Steven, unlike his peers, learned to read much later than the average student. He was bullied because he was different than others and hated going to school. He later directed his energy towards filmmaking; he is known as one of the best/popular filmmakers.

Einstein and Spielberg showed very different benchmarks compared to the average developmental benchmarks. According to Jean Piaget, language is made up of symbols and structure but exhibits itself as a child’s mental abilities mature. While Einstein’s speech did not mature as fast as children his age, his other skills such visual learning and good memory were much more mature and active. According to a theory on dyslexia, there is difficulty reading and interpreting words as well as late talking and difficulty understanding letters and numbers. Even though his reading and writing abilities were stunted, Spielberg did not let his dyslexia stop him. Some factors that could delay a child’s development are disorders such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, genetic disorders or Landau syndrome.

In my opinion, I believe developmental delays do not determine your intelligence or how successful you will be in the future. Developmental delays just go to show that every child is different and everybody grows at a different rate. Einstein and Spielberg are the perfect examples of two brilliant people who had setbacks in the early stages of their lives. They did not let their problems discourage them from doing great things in the world and in their lives. Their situations will always be an inspiration to people in the world who are battling disorders/parents who are worried about how their children are going to turn out later on.

Ever wondered how would it feel like to live a life with a body of East Asians in Southern Asia? I know by words it seems fascinating but in reality, it’s as tough as peeling a handful of chestnuts. My life took a distinctive turn from its path when I was only 5 years old I only had to eat and sleep whenever I wanted, what a life it was.

I always pondered the question of ‘Does life or fate despise me?’ I mean moving out from your own country at a very young age and then trying to settle in a developing country is a nightmare, plus being diverse is substandard. The amount of bullying I had to face is too much to recall. The face which was considered appealing and adorable in its home is now no longer as appealing as it was or it should be. A little pinch of narcissism is fine, right? My life never tried to be lenient towards my little soul. It was as strict as our sports teacher who used to make us stand under hot sunlight just because I couldn’t jump the ladder.

Life in Pakistan was pretty much fine until my parents had to move back to Korea to provide for our family and I was left alone at a very young age with my aunt here. The reason why my parents made me study in Pakistan was, that back then Korea lacked up-to-date education, especially the English language. It took great courage for my parents to make this painful decision. Living your whole childhood without your parent is gut-wrenching. Yeah I know, since the beginning my story is kind of depressing, I guess even more depressing than the lagging internet we all experience while watching Netflix but here’s the twist I’m the director of my movie of life and I can change it with happy endings.

Now, it’s been almost 14 years in Pakistan. I’m transformed just like Power Rangers who suit up for their powers and are ready to fight all kinds of monsters. It’s true I was broken, shattered, and crushed numerous times by my ‘fate ‘ during my infancy and I was in agony but now I realize all that suffering and all that distress just made me much stronger and tougher just like bones which when are broken grow back even more stronger than before.

Now, whenever I face any sort of failure I hear a voice speaking, ‘Yeah life just got tough, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to spend all your time whining and focusing on what is wrong or are you going to build a ladder and get over it?’ This always stimulates my courage and determination, thus helping me move on keeping my head up and being proud of ‘Myself’

It’s bizarre knowing the fact that I love adversities now. I consider it as a sign from the space that things are going to turn in my favor. I now mastered how to deal with adversity, in fact not only for myself, rather I can serve others in a way I’ve never done so before. Without a question, I became that bright light that everybody wants to be around. I can successfully achieve that level of human patience and endurance that I couldn’t years ago.

Now I’ve known this, if you allow adversity to empower you, and you take the positives from it, you’ll rise amongst everyone else like you never have before.

Albert Einstein once said, ‘Adversity introduces a man to himself.’ meaning until you’ve faced adversity, you don’t know what your actions, reactions, and behaviors will be. I believe I’ve successfully unlatched my true potential and I can comfortably deal with my issues.

In the end, all I believe is ‘Adversity is the preparation for greatness!’ (Andy Andrew)

Albert Einstein was a German physicist and mathematician who had a great influence and long-lasting impact on the philosophies of science. Einstein was undoubtedly one of the most famous scientists of the twentieth century, as well as being a Nobel Peace Prize-winning scholar, and having many renowned scientific accomplishments. Einstein’s perspective on the laws of nature grughu (go back) which included young sixth-grade student Phyllis Wright, who wrote a letter to Einstein questioning whether scientists pray or not and if so what a scientist prays about. Phyllis Wright wrote the letter to Einstein on January 24, 1936, which was a time when there was much controversy over religion and science. Einstein responded to Phyllis’ letter in a rather unusual and particular way. Einstein did not answer Phyllis Wright’s simple question straightforwardly, but rather in a way in which he implied a deeper meaning and a more sophisticated answer to what was originally a yes or no question. Einstein’s purpose for writing the letter to Phyllis was to respond to her in a way that would spark curiosity in the reader’s mind and stimulate thinking. In Einstein’s letter to Phyllis Wright,

The rhetorical appeals ethos, pathos, and logos are all used throughout Einstein’s response to Phyllis. Albert Einstein was an award-winning scientist and one of the smartest men known to earth. He was a profound physicist and as a result, prompted Phyllis who perceives Einstein as credible, to write the letter. Since Einstein is a scientist responding as if and how a scientist prays, he is trustworthy and reliable to answer and respond to Phyllis’s letter. On the other hand, Einstein believes scientific research is determined by the laws of nature. He answers Phyllis’s question as a scientist, that is with an answer based on facts. Albert Einstein was not trying to persuade Phyllis with emotion or feelings in any way, therefore, pathos is irrelevant in the letter. Einstein primarily uses the rhetorical appeal of logos as a means of persuasion. Scientists rely on certain laws and do not believe that prayers influence events. Einstein states in his letter “In this way, the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive” (Einstein 10). There is faith involved in Einstein’s beliefs, but his beliefs show a lack of wisdom due to science.

As one bold aspect, Einstein’s writing style is formal and straightforward. He does attempt to use an analogy by comparing the faith associated with a belief in the laws of nature with a religious person’s faith and to show the differences regarding religious feelings. Einstein’s tone in the letter is amusing but in addition, is pressing when describing the laws of nature. Einstein shifts from a lighter tone to a more serious tone when he says “However, it must be admitted that our actual knowledge of these laws is only imperfect and fragmentary, so that, actually, the belief in the existence of basic all-embracing laws in Nature also rests on a sort of faith” (Einstein 10). Einstein’s intended audience for his response to the letter was initially Phyllis Wright, however, because of his popularity, his response was not just for Phyllis, but the world. Albert Einstein is a world-famous physicist and scientist in which he would have been aware that the response to the letter would go beyond to a more extensive audience. Einstein does not discuss whether or not scientists pray simplistically, therefore Phyllis is not his only audience.

A Pattern of development takes part in Einstein’s letter to Phyllis through his narration. Albert Einstein discusses and declares “Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the actions of people” (Einstein 9-10). Albert Einstein is talking about how the laws of nature are based on scientific data which is the reason for people’s activity and deeds. Einstein’s tone is very convincing when discussing the laws of nature, but he then shifts from a definite and assured tone to a more indecisive voice. For instance, he explains such laws are actually “imperfect and fragmentary” (Einstein 10), and eventually moves on to talk about nature now resting on faith rather than on the very own laws of nature. By using a pattern of development, Einstein is then able to back up his unproven statement about research based on the laws of nature by discussing how he is not one hundred percent sure if he is correct or not for the reader and audience.

Ever wondered how would it feel like to live a life with a body of East Asians in Southern Asia? I know by words it seems fascinating but in reality, it’s as tough as peeling a handful of chestnuts. My life took a distinctive turn from its path when I was only 5 years old I only had to eat and sleep whenever I wanted, what a life it was.

I always pondered the question of ‘Does life or fate despise me?’ I mean moving out from your own country at a very young age and then trying to settle in a developing country is a nightmare, plus being diverse is substandard. The amount of bullying I had to face is too much to recall. The face which was considered appealing and adorable in its home is now no longer as appealing as it was or it should be. A little pinch of narcissism is fine, right? My life never tried to be lenient towards my little soul. It was as strict as our sports teacher who used to make us stand under hot sunlight just because I couldn’t jump the ladder.

Life in Pakistan was pretty much fine until my parents had to move back to Korea to provide for our family and I was left alone at a very young age with my aunt here. The reason why my parents made me study in Pakistan was, that back then Korea lacked up-to-date education, especially the English language. It took great courage for my parents to make this painful decision. Living your whole childhood without your parent is gut-wrenching. Yeah I know, since the beginning my story is kind of depressing, I guess even more depressing than the lagging internet we all experience while watching Netflix but here’s the twist I’m the director of my movie of life and I can change it with happy endings.

Now, it’s been almost 14 years in Pakistan. I’m transformed just like Power Rangers who suit up for their powers and are ready to fight all kinds of monsters. It’s true I was broken, shattered, and crushed numerous times by my ‘fate ‘ during my infancy and I was in agony but now I realize all that suffering and all that distress just made me much stronger and tougher just like bones which when are broken grow back even more stronger than before.

Now, whenever I face any sort of failure I hear a voice speaking, ‘Yeah life just got tough, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to spend all your time whining and focusing on what is wrong or are you going to build a ladder and get over it?’ This always stimulates my courage and determination, thus helping me move on keeping my head up and being proud of ‘Myself’

It’s bizarre knowing the fact that I love adversities now. I consider it as a sign from the space that things are going to turn in my favor. I now mastered how to deal with adversity, in fact not only for myself, rather I can serve others in a way I’ve never done so before. Without a question, I became that bright light that everybody wants to be around. I can successfully achieve that level of human patience and endurance that I couldn’t years ago.

Now I’ve known this, if you allow adversity to empower you, and you take the positives from it, you’ll rise amongst everyone else like you never have before.

Albert Einstein once said, ‘Adversity introduces a man to himself.’ meaning until you’ve faced adversity, you don’t know what your actions, reactions, and behaviors will be. I believe I’ve successfully unlatched my true potential and I can comfortably deal with my issues.

In the end, all I believe is ‘Adversity is the preparation for greatness!’ (Andy Andrew)

Albert Einstein was a German physicist and mathematician who had a great influence and long-lasting impact on the philosophies of science. Einstein was undoubtedly one of the most famous scientists of the twentieth century, as well as being a Nobel Peace Prize-winning scholar, and having many renowned scientific accomplishments. Einstein’s perspective on the laws of nature grughu (go back) which included young sixth-grade student Phyllis Wright, who wrote a letter to Einstein questioning whether scientists pray or not and if so what a scientist prays about. Phyllis Wright wrote the letter to Einstein on January 24, 1936, which was a time when there was much controversy over religion and science. Einstein responded to Phyllis’ letter in a rather unusual and particular way. Einstein did not answer Phyllis Wright’s simple question straightforwardly, but rather in a way in which he implied a deeper meaning and a more sophisticated answer to what was originally a yes or no question. Einstein’s purpose for writing the letter to Phyllis was to respond to her in a way that would spark curiosity in the reader’s mind and stimulate thinking. In Einstein’s letter to Phyllis Wright,

The rhetorical appeals ethos, pathos, and logos are all used throughout Einstein’s response to Phyllis. Albert Einstein was an award-winning scientist and one of the smartest men known to earth. He was a profound physicist and as a result, prompted Phyllis who perceives Einstein as credible, to write the letter. Since Einstein is a scientist responding as if and how a scientist prays, he is trustworthy and reliable to answer and respond to Phyllis’s letter. On the other hand, Einstein believes scientific research is determined by the laws of nature. He answers Phyllis’s question as a scientist, that is with an answer based on facts. Albert Einstein was not trying to persuade Phyllis with emotion or feelings in any way, therefore, pathos is irrelevant in the letter. Einstein primarily uses the rhetorical appeal of logos as a means of persuasion. Scientists rely on certain laws and do not believe that prayers influence events. Einstein states in his letter “In this way, the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive” (Einstein 10). There is faith involved in Einstein’s beliefs, but his beliefs show a lack of wisdom due to science.

As one bold aspect, Einstein’s writing style is formal and straightforward. He does attempt to use an analogy by comparing the faith associated with a belief in the laws of nature with a religious person’s faith and to show the differences regarding religious feelings. Einstein’s tone in the letter is amusing but in addition, is pressing when describing the laws of nature. Einstein shifts from a lighter tone to a more serious tone when he says “However, it must be admitted that our actual knowledge of these laws is only imperfect and fragmentary, so that, actually, the belief in the existence of basic all-embracing laws in Nature also rests on a sort of faith” (Einstein 10). Einstein’s intended audience for his response to the letter was initially Phyllis Wright, however, because of his popularity, his response was not just for Phyllis, but the world. Albert Einstein is a world-famous physicist and scientist in which he would have been aware that the response to the letter would go beyond to a more extensive audience. Einstein does not discuss whether or not scientists pray simplistically, therefore Phyllis is not his only audience.

A Pattern of development takes part in Einstein’s letter to Phyllis through his narration. Albert Einstein discusses and declares “Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the actions of people” (Einstein 9-10). Albert Einstein is talking about how the laws of nature are based on scientific data which is the reason for people’s activity and deeds. Einstein’s tone is very convincing when discussing the laws of nature, but he then shifts from a definite and assured tone to a more indecisive voice. For instance, he explains such laws are actually “imperfect and fragmentary” (Einstein 10), and eventually moves on to talk about nature now resting on faith rather than on the very own laws of nature. By using a pattern of development, Einstein is then able to back up his unproven statement about research based on the laws of nature by discussing how he is not one hundred percent sure if he is correct or not for the reader and audience.