1905::A Miracle Year

1905 was Einstein's Annus Mirablis – his miracle year. During this year he wrote three fundamental papers, any of which would have guaranteed him immortality in the world of physics.

His first was on a new understanding of the structure of light. Einstein argued that light is composed of small particles of energy, called photons, as well as oscillating waves.

The second paper built upon the theory of kinetics. Einstein explained how atoms were responsible for the buffeting of particles of material in suspension, like cigarette smoke suspended in air. This paper presented the first direct evidence for the existence of atoms vindicating an idea that had been around for over 2000 years.

His third paper of 1905 was 'On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies'. Here Einstein derived the theory of 'special relativity'. In a supplementary paper four months later, he formulated the famous equation, E=mc2, where mass and energy are equivalent, showing that a very small amount of mass converts to a huge amount of energy. This is the driving force behind atomic bombs, and all the stars in the Universe.

The one equation almost everyone knows by heart. It describes the simple yet profound link between energy and matter and has totally changed the way we view the Universe. It has overturned the understanding of the physical world which stood unchallenged for hundreds of years. It explains why stars shine, and indirectly, is responsible for the mushroom cloud that appeared over Hiroshima. In many ways this equation has changed many lives and it still challenges our common sense view of the world.