Albert Einstein

Mystery Scientist Answer Sheet
Einstein


Albert Einstein
Mini-Biography


One of the greatest minds of modern science, Albert Einstein was born on March
14, 1879 in Ulm, Germany. Although generally considered to be a genius, Einstein was
not without his troubles growing up. In 1895, Einstein attempted to enroll at
Eidgenossische Technishe Hockshule (ETH), the Swiss technical university to study
math and physics. Although initially rejected, he eventually persevered and was
accepted, earning his diploma in 1901 but was unable to find a teaching job. In 1905,
Einstein received his doctorate from ETH for a discovery in the determination of
molecular dimensions. It was also in that year that he wrote three papers about his
discoveries in quantum theory and relativity. In 1921, Einstein received a Nobel Prize for
his 1905 work on photoelectric effects. For his accomplishments, Einstein began
receiving international attention. He returned to Germany in 1914 to accept a research
position at the Prussian Academy of Sciences and a chair position at the University of
Berlin. He also began traveling to the United States and on his third visit in 1932, he was
offered and accepted a job at Princeton University. He became a US citizen in 1940.
Einstein would go on to help with the Manhattan Project, only to later renounce the use
of atomic warfare and regret his involvement in the American effort.

Clues

1. Albert Einstein was the son of Hermann and Pauline Einstein in Ulm, Germany.
Hermann worked as a featherbed salesman as depicted in this illustration.

2. This cartoon represents a student failing. Einstein failed his entrance exam to his
chosen technical university in 1895.

---

Mystery Scientist Answer Sheet
Einstein
3. This envelope represents a famous letter that Einstein wrote to resident Franklin D.
Roosevelt warning of the possibility of Germany's building an atomic bomb and
urging nuclear research. This was the beginnings of what would become known as
the Manhattan Project.

4. This stationary and text are from the Eidgenossische Technishe Hockshule, the
federal technical university that Einstein attended in Switzerland.

5. This is the flag of Israel. Einstein appeared before the Anglo-American Committee of
Inquiry on Palestine in 1946 and entered a strong plea for a Jewish Homeland. When
the State of Israel was established he hailed the event as the fulfillment of an ancient
dream. After Weizmann's death Einstein was asked by Ben Gurion to become the
president of the State of Israel. He declined and admitted "being deeply touched by
the offer but not suited for the position."

6. A fictitious speed limit sign with the speed of light expressed on it is depicted in this
clue. Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity addressed the concept of light traveling
at a constant speed in all frames of reference.

7. Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his discovery of the
photoelectric effect.

8. This illustration hints at time travel, one of the concepts most closely associated with
Einstein.

9. The mushroom cloud pictured here in this clue represents a nuclear explosion.
Einstein played a limited role in the development of the first atomic bomb as part of
the Manhattan Project. He would, however, renounce the use of atomic bombs and
regret having ever played a role in its creation.

10. This clue represents the famous equation E = mc2, which explains how energy is
converted into mass.


Photo credit: www.free-stock-photos.com

---