Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a Nobel Prize winning physicist and mathematician, whose work on theoretical physics has been important in helping scientists around the world understand more about the universe.

He was born in Germany on 14th March 1879, to Hermann and Pauline Einstein, who were of Jewish heritage.

Albert was an inquisitive child and became interested in physics at the age of five while wondering how the invisible forces acted upon a magnetic needle in a compass. While at school, Albert excelled in physics and maths, but struggled with many other subjects and was told by a teacher that he would ‘never amount to anything’.

A family friend and medical student, Max Talmund (later known as Max Talmey), introduced the young Einstein to books on science, mathematics and philosophy.

When he was sixteen, Albert moved to Switzerland, where he studied at the institute now known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. In 1896, he began training to be a physics and maths teacher. Once qualified, he was unable to find a teaching post, so took a job as an office clerk in Bern. This job allowed him plenty of time to work on researching and developing his own theories about science.

In 1905, Einstein wrote and published four papers, each covering a different area of physics. His theories were largely ignored until they were backed by a well-known physicist of the time - Max Planck.

Einstein returned to Germany, where he continued to work on his theories, but this work was halted by the start of the First World War. Einstein was a pacifist and opposed Germany’s entry into the war.

After the First World War, expeditions set out to test Einstein’s theories linked to the Sun. When he was proved correct, he became famous worldwide and was asked to tour universities, giving lectures about his findings.

One of Einstein’s most famous theories is the theory of special relativity. This theory states that the faster an object moves, the slower time appears to pass on that object.

The Theory of Relativity In 1921, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on theoretical physics.

In the 1930s, Einstein moved to America. He became a US citizen in 1940 and continued to work on various theories during his time there.

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Albert Einstein

One of his most famous equations is E=mc2. The equation calculates the amount of energy produced by converting the amount of matter (tiny particles that form objects).

Did You Know...?

citizen – A person who legally belongs to and has rights and protection offered by a country.

Nobel Prize – A prize awarded to people for their achievements in the field of physics, chemistry, literature, peace, economics and physiology or medicine.

pacifist – Someone who does not believe in war or violence.

philosphy – A study of the basic questions of human life.

Einstein’s birthday - 14th March - is known as ‘Pi day.’ This is because the digits in the date 3/14 are the first three digits of the number Pi (3.14).

Einstein died in 1955, aged 76.

Glossary

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Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a physicist and mathematician, whose work on theoretical physics has influenced scientists’ understanding of the universe.

An Original Thinker

Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany, on 14th March 1879, to Hermann and Pauline Einstein, who were of Jewish heritage.

Albert was an inquisitive child and later recalled becoming interested in physics at the age of five, when he was given a compass. He spent long hours wondering how the invisible forces acted upon the magnetic needle. Albert didn’t enjoy the formality of school and although he excelled at physics and maths, he struggled with many other subjects and was told by a teacher that he would ‘never amount to anything’.

A family friend and medical student, Max Talmund (later known as Max Talmey), introduced the young Einstein to texts and ideas linked to science, mathematics and philosophy.

When he was sixteen, Albert moved to Switzerland, where he studied at the institute now known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. In 1896, he began training to be a professor of physics and maths. Once qualified, he was unable to find a teaching post, so took a job as an office clerk in the patent office in Bern. This job allowed him plenty of time to work on researching and developing his own theories about science.

The young Einstein was an accomplished violinist; he often said that he would have been a musician if he had not been a physicist and mathematician.

In 1903, he married Mileva Maric. During their time together, they had a daughter and two sons but later divorced.

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Albert EinsteinEinstein's Work

In 1905, Einstein wrote and published four papers, each covering a different aspect of physics. His theories were largely ignored until they were backed by a well-known physicist of the time - Max Planck.

In 1914, Einstein moved back to Germany and began working as a professor at the University of Berlin. He continued to work on his theories, but this work was halted by the start of the First World War. Einstein was a pacifist (someone who does not believe in war or violence) and opposed Germany’s involvement.

After the First World War, expeditions set out to test Einstein’s theories linked to the Sun. When he was proved correct, he became famous worldwide and was asked to tour universities, giving lectures about his findings to students and scientists. Around this time, Einstein’s divorce from Mileva was finalised and he married Elsa Löwenthal.

Einstein’s Theories at a Glance:

One of Einstein’s famous theories is the theory of special relativity which refers to the relationship between space and time. The theory states that the faster an object moves, the slower time appears to pass on that object. It had a major impact in the field of physics.

In 1921, his explanation of the photoelectric effect (what happens to electrons - very small particles with a charge of negative electricity - when electromagnetic radiation, e.g. light, hits a material) won him the Nobel Prize for physics.

Einstein is perhaps most famous for his equation E=mc2 which details the relationship between energy, mass and the speed of light. The equation calculates the amount of energy produced by converting the amount of matter (tiny particles that form objects).

Einstein believed in individual freedom. In the 1930s, the German government banned Jewish people from holding positions of authority and life in Germany became dangerous for Jewish people. Unable to continue working at the university, he moved to America. He later became a US citizen and campaigned for equal rights for Black American people. He continued to work on various theories until he died on 18th April 1955.

Glossary:

Nobel Prize - A prize awarded to people for their achievements inthe field of physics, chemistry, literature, peace, economics and physiology or medicine.

philosophy - A study of the basic questions of human life.

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Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a physicist and mathematician, whose work on theoretical physics has influenced scientists’ understanding of the universe. Einstein is considered one of the most influential scientists of his era and his work has impacted modern physics in many ways.

Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany, on 14th March 1879, to Hermann and Pauline Einstein, who were of Jewish heritage. His parents were concerned that the young Einstein was very late in learning to talk and consulted a doctor about their concerns. Despite this, Albert was an inquisitive child, spending his time building towers with blocks and cards or working on puzzles. He later recalled becoming interested in physics at the age of five, when he was given a compass. He spent long hours wondering how the invisible forces acted upon the magnetic needle.

Albert didn’t enjoy the formality of school and was bullied by his fellow students for being Jewish. Although he excelled at physics and maths, he struggled with many other subjects and was told by a teacher that he would ‘never amount to anything’.

A family friend and medical student, Max Talmund, used to visit Einstein’s home regularly. During such visits, he introduced the young Einstein to texts and ideas about science, maths and philosophy (a study of the basic questions about human life).

When he was sixteen, Albert moved to Switzerland, where he studied at what is now known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. In 1896, he began training to be a professor of physics and maths. Once qualified, he was unable to find a teaching post, so took a job as an office clerk in the patent office in Bern. This job allowed him plenty of time to work on researching and developing his own theories about science.

In 1903, he married Mileva Maric, a fellow physics student. During their time together, they had a daughter and two sons but later divorced.

In 1905, aged only 26, Einstein wrote and published four papers, each covering a different aspect of physics. His theories were largely ignored until they were backed by a well-known physicist and founder of quantum theory - Max Planck. The ideas in these papers went on to have a huge impact in the scientific community and 1905 was later referred to as Einstein’s annus mirabilis (miracle year).

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Albert EinsteinIn 1914, Einstein was living back in Germany and working as a professor at the University of Berlin. He continued to work on his theories, but this work was halted by the start of the First World War. Einstein was a pacifist and opposed Germany’s involvement in the war.

After the First World War, expeditions set out to test Einstein’s theories linked to the Sun. When he was proved correct, he became famous worldwide and was asked to tour universities, giving lectures about his findings to students and scientists. Around this time, Einstein’s divorce from Mileva was finalised and he married Elsa Löwenthal.

Einstein’s Work:

Einstein had many discoveries, but perhaps one of the most famous is the special theory of relativity. The theory states that the faster an object moves, the slower time appears to pass on that object. He was greatly influenced by the physicist Sir Isaac Newton, but was able to disprove some of Newton’s theories. This led to him being hailed as ‘the new Newton’.

In 1921, his explanation of the photoelectric effect (what happens to electrons - very small particles with a negative charge of electricity - when electromagnetic radiation, e.g. light, hits a material) won him the Nobel Prize for physics.

Einstein is perhaps most famous for his equation E=mc2. This equation calculates the amount of energy produced by converting the amount of matter (tiny particles that form objects).

In the 1930s, the new German government banned Jewish people from holding positions of authority. Einstein knew he would not be allowed to continue working at Berlin University, so he moved to America. His books were publicly burned in Germany and his life was threatened. Einstein renounced his German citizenship in 1933 and later became a US citizen. In America, he campaigned against segregation and for civil rights for Black American people, seeing similarities between how they were being treated and the treatment of Jewish people in Nazi Germany.

In 1952, Einstein was offered the post of President of Israel, which he declined. Einstein continued to speak and write about politics and world peace, as well as work on his theories about time travel and black holes, until his death in April 1955.

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Questions 1. What was Albert Einstein? Tick two.

doctor mathematician physicist shopkeeper

2. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

Einstein won the Nobel Prize.

Einstein became a US citizen.

Einstein's theories linked to the Sun were proved correct. Einstein moved to Switzerland. 3. Look at the sentence beginning ‘Einstein was a pacifist…’ Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘was against’.

4. What did one of Einstein's teachers say about him?

5. Fill in the missing words.

One of Einstein’s most famous theories is the of special

.

6. Summarise what you have learnt about Einstein’s character using 25 words or fewer.

Albert Einstein

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Albert Einstein

Questions7. Describe Einstein’s impact on the world of science using evidence from the text to

support your answer.

8. How do you think Einstein felt when he couldn’t get a job as a teacher?

Explain your answer.

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Albert Einstein

1

24

3

Answers 1. What was Albert Einstein? Tick two.

doctor mathematician physicist

shopkeeper

2. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

Einstein won the Nobel Prize.

Einstein became a US citizen.

Einstein's theories linked to the Sun were proved correct. Einstein moved to Switzerland. 3. Look at the sentence beginning ‘Einstein was a pacifist…’ Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘was against’. opposed

4. What did one of Einstein's teachers say about him? His teacher said that he would never amount to anything.

5. Fill in the missing words.

One of Einstein’s most famous theories is the theory of special relativity.

6. Summarise what you have learnt about Einstein’s character using 25 words or fewer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Einstein was inquisitive - he liked to find out about

how things worked. He had an enquiring mind and was always asking questions

about life.

243

1

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Albert Einstein

7. Describe Einstein’s impact on the world of science using evidence from the text to

support your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: scientists all over the world use his theories to help

explain the universe. He has helped scientists understand the universe. He became

famous and toured all over the world giving lectures about his findings. He was

awarded a Nobel Prize because what he discovered was very important.

8. How do you think Einstein felt when he couldn’t get a job as a teacher?

Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: He felt frustrated because he really enjoyed maths

and physics and wanted to teach others about it. He felt like he had wasted his

time training to become a teacher. He was relieved because his job as an office clerk

gave him time to work on his theories.

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Questions 1. Which subjects did Albert Einstein excel in at school? Tick two.

history maths physics geography

2. Draw four lines and complete each sentence.

3. Find and copy one word which shows that Einstein was a talented musician.

4. Name two countries in which Einstein lived.

•

•

5. Fill in the missing words.

After the First World War, set out to test Einstein's theories linked

to the .

Albert Einstein

Albert didn't agree with...

Max Talmund...

One of Einstein's famous...

He later became...

introduced the young Einstein to texts and ideas.

a US citizen and campaigned for equal rights for Black American people.

Germany going to war.

theories is the theory of special relativity.

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6. Einstein became ‘interested in physics at the age of five’. Explain why this happened.

7. Summarise two of Einstein’s scientific successes after 1900.

8. In the 1930s, the new German government introduced rules relating to Jewish people.

How do you think Einstein felt about these?

9. Do you think that Einstein’s theories will ever be proved wrong? Tick one.

yes no

Fully explain your choice.

Albert Einstein

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Albert Einstein

Answers 1. Which subjects did Albert Einstein excel in at school? Tick two.

history maths physics

geography 2. Draw four lines and complete each sentence.

3. Find and copy one word which shows that Einstein was a talented musician.

accomplished

4. Name two countries in which Einstein lived.

Accept any two of the following: Switzerland, Germany, America 5. Fill in the missing words.

After the First World War, expeditions set out to test Einstein's theories linked

to the Sun.

Albert didn't agree with...

Max Talmund...

One of Einstein's famous...

He later became...

introduced the young Einstein to texts and ideas.

a US citizen and campaigned for equal rights for Black American people.

Germany going to war.

theories is the theory of special relativity.

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Albert Einstein

6. Einstein became ‘interested in physics at the age of five’. Explain why this happened.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: He was given a compass and was curious about how

it worked. The needle seemed to move because of an invisible force and he spent

hours thinking how and why this happened.

7. Summarise two of Einstein’s scientific successes after 1900.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Einstein produced theories linked to the sun which

were tested after the First World War and became famous across the world when he

was found to be correct. He toured universities and gave lectures on his findings.

One of Einstein’s famous theories was the theory of special relativity. The theory

stated that the faster an object moves, the slower time appears to pass on that

object and it had a major impact in the field of physics. Einstein won the Nobel Prize

in 1921 for his work on the photoelectric effect.

8. In the 1930s, the new German government introduced rules relating to Jewish people.

How do you think Einstein felt about these?

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Einstein felt helpless, as he had no control over

the situation and had to leave his job. He believed that it was unfair because he was

banned from holding any position of authority. He was anxious because Germany

had become a dangerous place for Jewish people to live. He was a pacifist and

believed in individual freedom so he was upset by their actions.

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Albert Einstein

9. Do you think that Einstein’s theories will ever be proved wrong? Tick one.

yes no

Fully explain your choice.

Accept either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ provided that a full explanation is also given, such as: No

- He spent a long time testing his theories and proving them right and also had the

backing of a famous physicist of the time (Max Planck). Yes - Scientists are

constantly finding out new things about the universe and how it works, so one day

they may find new evidence that contradicts Einstein’s.

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Questions1. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

Einstein won the Nobel Prize.

Einstein became a US citizen.

Einstein’s theories linked to the Sun were proved correct. Einstein moved to Switzerland. 2. Draw four lines and complete each sentence.

3. Look at the sentence beginning 'He was greatly influenced...' Find and copy one word that means the same as prove wrong.

4. Name two subjects Einstein was trained to teach.

•

•

5. Fill in the missing words.

The special theory or relativity states that the an object moves,

the time appears to pass on that object.

Albert Einstein

Einstein’s job as an office clerk in Bern...

Albert was an inquisitive child...

He was once told by a teacher that he would...

He moved to America...

becoming interested in physics at the age of five, when he was given a compass.

as Jewish people were not allowed to hold positions of authority in Nazi Germany.

allowed him time to develop his theories in science.

‘never amount to anything’.

243

1

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6. Summarise what you have learned about Einstein’s character using 25 words or fewer.

7. Einstein moved to America. Explain why this happened.

8. 1905 is often referred to as Einstein’s annus mirabilis. Explain why this is.

9. ‘Einstein is considered one of the most influential scientists of his era.’ Explain why this is the case.

0. Explain in your own words, why you think Einstein felt so passionately about civil rights for Black American people and ending segregation.

Albert Einstein

1

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Answers1. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

Einstein won the Nobel Prize.

Einstein became a US citizen.

Einstein’s theories linked to the sun were proved correct. Einstein moved to Switzerland. 2. Draw four lines and complete each sentence.

3. Look at the sentence beginning 'He was greatly influenced…' Find and copy one word that means the same as prove wrong.

disprove

4. Name two subjects Einstein was trained to teach.

physics and maths

5. Fill in the missing words.

The special theory or relativity states that the faster an object moves,

the slower time appears to pass on that object.

Albert Einstein

Einstein’s job as an office clerk in Bern...

Albert was an inquisitive child...

He was once told by a teacher that he would...

He moved to America...

becoming interested in physics at the age of five, when he was given a compass.

as Jewish people were not allowed to hold positions of authority in Nazi Germany.

allowed him time to develop his theories in science.

‘never amount to anything’.

243

1

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6. Summarise what you have learned about Einstein’s character using 25 words or fewer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Einstein was inquisitive - he liked to find out about

how things worked. He had an enquiring mind and was always asking questions

about life.

7. Einstein moved to America. Explain why this happened.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: The German government banned Jewish people

from holding positions of authority. Einstein knew he wouldn’t be able to continue

as a professor at Berlin University. Being of Jewish heritage at that time put his life

in danger. His life was being threatened and his books were being publicly burned.

8. 1905 is often referred to as Einstein’s annus mirabilis. Explain why this is.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: This term means miracle year. This was an

amazingly successful year for Einstein. He wrote four papers within the space of a

few months that had an enormous impact on modern scientific thinking. At the age

of only 26, he managed to get all four published, which was a huge achievement.

9. ‘Einstein is considered one of the most influential scientists of his era.’ Explain why this is the case.

Pupils’ own response, such as: Einstein produced many papers and theories which

have helped scientists to better understand the universe and had a major impact in

the field of physics. During the course of his research, he managed to disprove some

famous ideas and in 1921, he won the Nobel Prize for his work on the photoelectric

effect because of the importance of this discovery. Modern day scientists have been

inspired by his work.

Albert Einstein

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10. Explain in your own words, why you think Einstein felt so passionately about civil rights for Black American people and ending segregation.

Pupils’ own response, such as: He had experienced similar discrimination as a

Jewish person in Nazi Germany. He was a pacifist and disliked violence. He was

a fair man and wanted people to be treated equally and respectfully. He had

been threatened and victimised as an adult and also bullied as a child because of

his heritage, so he had an understanding of how it felt to experience discrimination.

Albert Einstein

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