Albert Einstein: How I See the World

• Enola Gay
• Fat Man
• Little Boy
• Manhattan Project
• Robert Oppenheimer
• anti-communism
• anti-semitism
• dimension
• ingenuity
• intuition
• non-conformity
• regimentation

1. Why did Einstein rescind his German citizenship when he was a teenager? What aspects of German life did Einstein disagree with in his early years?

2. In what ways was Einstein ahead of his time? What does the following phrase mean: "...science caught up with his theories?" How did data taken during a solar eclipse in 1919 increase Einstein's popularity?

3. What distinguished prize was awarded to Einstein in 1921? For what work was this prize primarily awarded?

4. What type of organizations did Einstein support in the face of German militarism? Was Einstein anti-German? Explain.

5. How did anti-semitism affect Einstein's life in Germany? Was Einstein included in German science circles in the 1930's? Why or why not?

6. Why did Einstein choose to live in the United States after leaving Germany? Where did he live and work? What projects or ideas did he work on?

7. Why did Einstein disagree with the idea of quantum mechanics? Who was the leading scientist in the field of quantum mechanics?

8. What was Einstein's warning to the President of the United States in 1939? What was the result of this warning? What was Einstein's warning in 1945? What was the result of this warning?

9. What equation written by Einstein provides the basis for nuclear fission? How did the media portray Einstein's involvement in the making of the atomic bomb? Was this portrayal accurate? Why or why not?

10. What were some of Einstein's realizations or thoughts about science and technology after World War II? What was the purpose of the Einstein Committee?

11. Why did the FBI begin to accumulate a file on Einstein in 1949? What were the McCarthy hearings? Who were some of the victims of these hearings? What was the basis of these prosecutions?

12. In what ways did Einstein remain involved with important causes until his death?

1. Identify 8-12 significant scientific inventions or discoveries. Also identify the date and the scientist responsible for each invention or discovery.

2. Did the scientists involved in the Manhattan Project have control over the use of their product? Did Einstein understand the consequences of his equation? Split into two groups and debate the following statement in the context of A&E's Albert Einstein: it is impossible to know the results of your actions.

3. What is Einstein's theory of relativity? Explain this theory and give 5 examples to illustrate this theory. You may present your ideas in an essay, chart, outline or diagram format.

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