Who is the greatest physicist in history and why?
Special relativity. 1in June, 905, Einstein founded the special theory of relativity, which triggered a revolution in physics. It has changed the traditional basic concepts of space-time, mass, momentum and energy, and profoundly revealed the unity of space-time as a form of material existence, as well as the unity of various physical motion forms: mechanical motion and electromagnetic motion, and the unity of two kinds of motion quantities (momentum and energy), thus greatly
General relativity. When most physicists didn't understand the special theory of relativity, Einstein continued to advance his theory. 1907 put forward the equivalent principle of uniform gravity field and uniform acceleration. After eight years of hard exploration, with the help of old classmate Grossman, the general theory of relativity was finally established at 19 15438+05 by applying Riemann surface geometry. General relativity further reveals the unified relationship between four-dimensional space-time and matter as the unity of time and space, and profoundly reveals that time and space cannot exist independently without matter. The structure and properties of space depend on the distribution of substances, and the attraction between substances is only a manifestation of space curvature.
Optical quantum theory. As early as March 1905, Einstein wrote the paper "An Inspiring Viewpoint on the Generation and Transformation of Light", put forward the light quantum hypothesis, and extended Planck's quantum concept to the propagation of radiation in space. Einstein's light quantum theory reveals the quantum essence of light. Light is not only considered as a wave, but also as a particle, which is a combination of particles and waves. For the statistical average phenomenon, light shows fluctuation; For the instantaneous fluctuation phenomenon, light appears in the form of particles, thus revealing the wave-particle duality of microscopic particles.
The proposal of optical quantum theory was opposed by almost all physicists of the older generation. Until 19 13, Planck thought it was Einstein's fault. Nevertheless, Einstein fought alone and insisted on quantum theory. 1906, he published the paper Planck's radiation theory and specific heat theory, which extended the quantum concept to the internal vibration of objects and successfully explained the relationship between specific heat and temperature of solids at low temperature.
19 16 Einstein's paper Quantum Theory of Radiation is a theoretical summary of the first stage of the development of quantum theory. Based on Bohr's atomic structure hypothesis, Planck's radiation formula is derived by statistical mechanics, and the theory of stimulated radiation is put forward. This not only played an important role in the creation of quantum mechanics in the 1920s, but also laid a theoretical foundation for the vigorous development of laser technology in the 1960s.
1924 Shortly after de Broglie's material wave hypothesis was put forward, it was enthusiastically supported by Einstein, who immediately used it to study monatomic ideal gas, and cooperated with the young Indian physicist Bose to put forward the Bose-Einstein statistical method. Inspired by Einstein's work, Schrodinger tried to develop De Broglie's theory and established wave mechanics in 1926.
Theory of molecular motion. 1In April and May of 905, Einstein published two papers on the theory of molecular motion, trying to determine the actual size of molecules by observing the motion of suspended particles (1Brownian motion discovered in 827). In April, he wrote a paper to apply for a doctorate from the University of Zurich. He engaged in this research in order to solve the problem of whether atoms and molecules exist, which has been debated by scientific and philosophical circles for more than half a century. Three years later, French physicist Perrin confirmed Einstein's theoretical prediction with precise experiments and proved the existence of atoms and molecules with irrefutable facts.
Modern cosmology. After Einstein established the general theory of relativity, he began to explore cosmological problems. 19 17 published a paper entitled "cosmological investigation based on general relativity", which put forward the hypothesis that the universe is finite and unbounded, and was a pioneering document of modern cosmology. Later, due to the work of Dutch astronomer De Sitter and former Soviet atmospheric physicist Friedman, it was discovered that space may be expanding continuously, and it was predicted that there would be separation (retrogression) between galaxies. This prediction is strongly supported by the discovery of the red shift of the spectral lines of extragalactic galaxies by American astronomer Hubble in 1929.
Research on unified field theory. From the 1920s to his later years, Einstein devoted his main scientific creative energy to the study of unified field theory. This paper attempts to establish a unified theory including gravitational field and electromagnetic field, generalize various physical motion forms with the extended form of general relativity, and explain material structure and quantum phenomena with the concept of field. He thinks this is the third stage of the development of relativity.
Although this research and exploration did not achieve physical results at that time, it is showing its immeasurable vitality in new forms in recent years. As Einstein himself said in his later years: "I can't finish this work;" It will be forgotten, but will be rediscovered in the future. "
That's exactly what happened. 1967, Pakistani physicist Salam and American physicist Weinberg independently put forward the unified theory of electrical weakness. The success of the theory of electric weak unification further promotes the research of the so-called grand unification theory of strong, weak and electromagnetic interaction and the so-called super unification theory of gravity interaction.
Noble scientific morality
As the greatest physicist, Einstein did not confine his attention to the field of natural science, but cared about society and human beings with great enthusiasm. He is rich in scientific and moral thoughts and extremely noble moral qualities, and has become a model for scientists and young students all over the world.
Science should aim at benefiting mankind. As a physicist, Einstein holds the hope that science can really benefit mankind. 193 1 year, Einstein said to the students of California Institute of Technology, "It is not enough for you to know only applied science. Caring for people themselves should always be the main goal of all technological struggles; Concerned about how to organize people's labor and product distribution, so as to ensure that our scientific and ideological achievements benefit mankind and will not become a scourge. Don't forget this when you are immersed in charts and equations! "
This noble scientific morality that benefits mankind is determined by the world outlook and outlook on life of scientific researchers. Einstein is a great scientist who cares about human destiny. He closely linked his research work with human destiny. His article My World View published in 1930 is not only a representative work of the relationship between science and world outlook and outlook on life, but also a vivid expression of his own world outlook and outlook on life.
The article wrote: "Each of us will only stay for a short time in this world; What's the purpose? ..... I don't need to think deeply, but I can understand from my daily life that people live for others. " "I remind myself hundreds of times every day that my spiritual life and material life depend on the labor of others (including the living and the dead), and I must try my best to repay what I have got and what I am still getting with the same weight." "I never take comfort and pleasure as the purpose of life itself-this ethical basis, which I call the ideal of pigsty. Illuminate my path, constantly give me new courage, let me face up to the ideal of life happily, that is, truth, goodness and beauty. ..... I always feel that the vulgar goals that people strive for-property, vanity, and luxurious life-are contemptible. " These profound words should be the mirror of every young scholar and researcher who is determined to benefit mankind.
Scientists should take the initiative to assume their social responsibilities. The contradiction between individual and society is one of the most basic contradictions in life. People's different ideological and political positions and the division of scientific and moral concepts all stem from different understanding and handling of the relationship between individuals and society. Einstein thought: "Only by devoting oneself to society can people find the meaning of a short and risky life." He has a high sense of responsibility for human society, and his speech on opposing war and striving for peace is nearly 1 10,000 words. He refused to be hired to give a radio lecture at the price of $0/000 per minute, but agreed to auction a 30-page paper on electrodynamics of moving objects, which announced the establishment of special relativity, and donated all the $6 million to support the anti-fascist war.
What's more worth pointing out is that Einstein thought the role of example was very important in human moral behavior, and he himself felt the responsibility to set an example. Therefore, although he is a well-known physicist, he must publicly show his attitude towards every major political event he has experienced. This is reflected in his struggle with the rampant German fascist forces in 1933.
At that time, his close friend von Laue was very worried about him and wrote to persuade him to be wise on political issues. He immediately replied categorically, "I don't agree with you that scientists should keep silent on political issues-more broadly, it is human affairs." The situation in Germany shows that this restraint will lead to the surrender of leadership to those who are blind and irresponsible without resistance. Isn't this restraint a sign of lack of responsibility? If giordano bruno, Spinoza, Voltaire and Humboldt think and act like this, what will our situation be like? I don't regret a word I said, and I believe that my actions are serving mankind. "A person who has made historic contributions in many fields of natural science is so serious, enthusiastic and highly responsible in dealing with social and political issues, which is really worthy of being an example for the majority of scientific researchers to pursue and learn.
Pursuing truth is the bounden duty of scientific workers. For scientists, the contradiction between individuals and society is manifested in various personal relationships, such as teacher-student relationship, colleague relationship and peer relationship; It is also reflected in the relationship between individual and truth. In a sense, the relationship between individual and truth is more important and basic. A scientist's attitude towards truth is often more reflective of his scientific ethics and behavior in essence than his attitude towards colleagues. Because in modern society, truth has the widest sociality, it is usually the spiritual wealth explored by researchers in contemporary society, and it also embodies the precious labor efforts of countless researchers in past dynasties.
As early as his student days, Einstein successfully got rid of the shackles of self, and changed from a self-centered mental state to an ideological realm centered on exploring truth. Einstein thought this was an important turning point in the development of his thought: "The turning point in the development of people like me is that their main interests are gradually away from temporary and personal aspects, and they turn to trying to master things ideologically." Through hard theoretical study and creative independent thinking, he finally realized that exploring and pursuing truth is a lofty and great public undertaking, not a personal undertaking.
Einstein pursued the truth all his life, did not believe in authority, did not worship idols, and was dissatisfied with his achievements. Before Einstein broke into the field of theoretical physics, some physics authorities almost fixed their eyes on a few dark clouds above classical physics. Einstein didn't believe in authority, did something unconventional and went his own way. When others stared at Michelson's experiment, he stared at the theoretical basis of classical physics; When others only noticed the obvious crack between experiment and theory, he saw the basic defects of classical physics, and even thought that classical physics needed fundamental reform. It is this noble scientific morality of pursuing truth that makes Einstein want nothing but tireless exploration, and put forward special relativity and general relativity successively, which triggered a profound revolution in modern physics.
Einstein's noble scientific morality of pursuing truth all his life is also fully reflected in his tolerant attitude towards others' misunderstanding. 1953, Whitaker of the United States ignored the facts and did not listen to other people's advice. In his book The Theoretical History of Ether and Electricity, he deliberately belittled Einstein's contribution to the theory of relativity and highlighted the contributions of Poincare and Lorenz. In this respect, Einstein doesn't mind, because the truth has been recognized; It is no longer the truth that degenerates, but only the individual. In his letter to Born, he pointed out: "Don't lose sleep because of your friend's books. Everyone does what he thinks is right, or in the language of determinism, what he has to do. If he convinces others, it's someone else's business. I am satisfied with my efforts, but I think it is unwise to protect my works as my' property', just like an old miser protecting his hard-earned copper coins. I have no grudge against him, and I certainly have no problem with you. After all, I don't need to read this kind of thing. "
Einstein engaged in the study of unified field theory in his later years. Although criticized and ridiculed by many people, the exploration failed to achieve results, but he was still open-minded and cheerful, and said happily: "In science, every road must be taken. Finding an impassable road is a great contribution to science. ..... let me do the thankless job of proving that' this road is blocked'. " Of course, as a master of science, his profound insight has foreseen the bright future of unified field theory.
Scientists should act according to their conscience. Einstein attached great importance to the role of "conscience" in moral evaluation of scientific activities. Commenting on the Nobel Prize named after him, he said: "Nobel invented the most violent explosive ever, a super destructive tool. In order to atone for this and free his conscience, he set up a bonus to promote peace and achieve peace. " Einstein himself was often condemned by his conscience because he participated in the manufacture of the atomic bomb. He once said: "Today, physicists involved in the development of this most terrible and dangerous weapon in history are all troubled by the same sense of responsibility, not to mention committing crimes." Therefore, Einstein advocated the peace movement, disarmament and East-West peace talks many times. Before his death, he also published the famous Russell-Einstein Declaration of Peace.
Starting from his morality, Einstein thought that "one should act according to one's own conscience, even if such behavior is bound to violate the laws of the country." The basis of Einstein's moral self-evaluation is that "the moral standards existing in our current system, as well as our general laws and customs, are the cumulative results of countless individuals' efforts to express what they think is just." If the system is not supported by personal responsibility, it is powerless in the moral sense. This is why any effort to arouse and strengthen this sense of responsibility has become an important contribution to mankind. "
Moral education is the most basic education to cultivate scientific talents. Einstein was an outstanding physicist and educator. He is very concerned about the cultivation and growth of scientific talents, and pays special attention to the most basic education-moral education. In a letter to her sister Maya in the spring of 1935, she pointed out that "the basis of all human values is morality". 1in June, 938, at the award ceremony of Swarthmore College in the United States, he said earnestly to the graduating college students: "From the perspective of a simple person, moral behavior does not mean strictly giving up some desires for life enjoyment, but caring about the happier fate of all mankind." "Morality is not a rigid system. It is just a position and viewpoint, according to which all problems in life can and should be judged. It is a never-ending task that always guides our judgment and inspires our actions. "
Later, in his congratulatory letter to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the new york Moral Education Association, Einstein continued to think: "I really believe that in our education, too much emphasis on simple intellectual education is often only for practical and practical purposes, which directly leads to the damage to moral values." The following year, he wrote a statement at the request of The New York Times Education Editorial Department, further pointing out: "It is not enough to educate people only with professional knowledge. Through professional education, he can become a useful machine, but he can't become a harmonious person. Let students understand the value (that is, social morality) and have warm feelings, which is the most basic. He must clearly distinguish beauty from moral goodness. Otherwise, he-together with his professional knowledge-is more like a well-trained dog than a harmonious person. " What a profound insight this is! In order to guide a large number of young students who walk on the road of science to grow into harmonious people, Einstein, as the greatest physicist, repeatedly emphasized that moral education is the most basic education in his scientific and moral thoughts.