Albert Einstein and His Theories

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Questions and Answers

What specific contribution to physics earned Albert Einstein the Nobel Prize in 1921?

Special Theory of Relativity

General Theory of Relativity

Explanation of the photoelectric effect (correct)

Theory of Brownian motion

Which phenomenon did Einstein describe that reflects the existence of atoms in constant motion?

Quantum entanglement

Photoelectric effect

Relativity of simultaneity

Brownian motion (correct)

Which equation represents the equivalence of mass and energy in Einstein's theory of relativity?

E = mc² (correct)

m = E/c

E = mv

E = m²c

What is the minimum energy required for the photoelectric effect to occur?

3.09 eV Signup and view all the answers

Who first documented the concept of the photoelectric effect prior to Einstein?

Heinrich Hertz Signup and view all the answers

What role do photons play in the photoelectric effect according to Einstein's theory?

They transfer their entire energy to electrons Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the significance of the theory of special relativity?

It shows that mass and energy can be converted into one another. Signup and view all the answers

What was Albert Einstein's profession before becoming a renowned physicist?

Patent clerk Signup and view all the answers

What does the equation E = mc^2 signify about mass and energy?

Mass and energy are equivalent properties of physical systems. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes general relativity?

It represents gravity as a geometric property of space-time. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to an object's mass as it approaches the speed of light according to special relativity?

The mass becomes infinite. Signup and view all the answers

According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, what cannot be determined with absolute accuracy?

Position and momentum of an electron. Signup and view all the answers

What was Albert Einstein's view on the uncertainty principle?

He opposed it, arguing for determinism. Signup and view all the answers

When did the term atomic energy first originate, and who popularized it?

In 1903 by Ernest Rutherford. Signup and view all the answers

What implication does special relativity have about energy as speeds increase?

The energy required to propel an object increases without limit. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines atomic energy?

Energy carried by atoms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a German-born physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity.
He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
He is generally considered the most influential physicist of the 20th century.

Brownian Motion

Brownian motion was first noted in 1827 by Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist.
Einstein’s theory explained the phenomenon, providing evidence for the existence of atoms in constant motion.

The Photoelectric Effect

In 1887 Heinrich Hertz documented the photoelectric effect, where electrons are emitted from the surface of metals when exposed to light of sufficient frequency.
Einstein theorized that when a photon falls on a metal surface, its energy is transferred to an electron.
This energy is then used to free the electron from the atom, with the remaining energy becoming the electron's kinetic energy.
The minimum energy needed for the photoelectric effect is 3.0895471249137887 electron volts, or 4.95 x 10-19 joules.

Mass-Energy Equivalence

Einstein's theory of special relativity demonstrates that mass and energy are equivalent and interchangeable forms of the same entity.
This concept is expressed the equation E=mc², where E is energy, m is mass and c is the speed of light.

General Relativity

General relativity, published in 1915, is Einstein's theory of gravity.
It is a geometric theory that describes gravity as a property of space and time.
It generalizes special relativity and refines Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Special Relativity

Einstein's theory of special relativity, published in 1905, is a fundamental principle in physics.
It explains how speed affects mass, time and space.
As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases infinitely, requiring more energy to move. This makes exceeding the speed of light impossible.

Uncertainty Principle

The uncertainty principle proposed by Werner Heisenberg states that the position and momentum of an electron cannot be determined simultaneously with absolute accuracy.
This principle is represented by the equation ΔxΔp ≥ h/2π, where Δx is the uncertainty in position, Δp is the uncertainty in momentum, and h is Planck's constant.

Einstein's Opposition to the Uncertainty Principle

Einstein disagreed with the uncertainty principle as a fundamental law of physics.
He believed in a deterministic universe and did not accept the inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics.

Atomic Energy

Atomic energy, or energy of atoms, was first theorized by Ernest Rutherford in 1903.
The phrase "splitting the atom" was popularized by H.G. Wells before the discovery of the atomic nucleus.

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Description

This quiz explores the foundational contributions of Albert Einstein, focusing on his theories of relativity, the photoelectric effect, and Brownian motion. Examine his impact on modern physics and understand the significance of his work in 20th-century science.