Q.1. Write a short note on Einstein’s education from school to university.
Ans. As a young boy, Einstein did not show any symptoms of an intellectual genius. His headmaster had a very poor opinion about him and he even declared that Einstein would fail in any career that he chose. However, as he grew up and joined a school in Munich, he showed appreciable progress in his studies scoring good marks in almost all the subjects. However, the strict discipline of the school was not by the free spirit of Einstein. As a result, he frequently had scuffles with his teachers. Being a person of liberal ideas, he felt so suffocated that he ultimately left that school for good. He chose to complete his studies in a school in Switzerland where the environment was more liberal as compared to Munich. Highly gifted in mathematics and having a great interest in Physics, Einstein joined the university in Zurich after completing school, from where he graduated in 1900.
Q.2. What researches and theories proved that Einstein was a true genius? How was he rewarded for his scientific achievements?
Ans. After completing his university education, Einstein proved to be an intellectual and scientific genius. Though jobless for a while and given private tuition, he eventually secured a position as a technical expert in a patent office in Bern. While working there, he developed his ideas, leading to the publication of his famous research on the ‘Special Theory of Relativity,’ which stated that time and distance are not absolute. His equation, E = mc², revolutionized science and earned him worldwide recognition. Einstein gained further acclaim with his General Theory of Relativity, which predicted the deflection of light from stars due to the sun’s gravitational field, hailed as a “scientific revolution.” In 1921, Einstein received the Nobel Prize for Physics for his contributions, and honors from around the globe followed. Newspapers worldwide praised his remarkable genius, establishing him as one of the greatest minds in science.
Q.3. The author talks about two important letters that Einstein wrote -one to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the other to the United Nations. What prompted Einstein to write these letters? What impact did they make?
Ans. At the insistence of a colleague, Einstein wrote a letter to the American President, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 warning him that the atomic bomb if made and used by Germany, could not only destroy the whole port on which it could be dropped but also the territory surrounding it. The impact of the letter was both deep and rapid as the Americans secretly developed their own atomic bombs which were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945. As expected, these bombs caused terrible destruction. The large-scale damage caused by these bombings on Japan perturbed Einstein so much that this time he wrote a letter to the United Nations. In this letter, he proposed that there should be only one government in the world. This would put an end to the enmity between nations and hence stop the massacres caused in the name of wars. But this letter did not have any impact. Thus, unlike the letter to Roosevelt, Einstein’s letter to the United Nations failed to evoke any response.
Q.4. Which values does the life of Einstein teach you?
Ans. Einstein was not only a remarkable scientist but also a man devoted to peace. His life teaches that we must love our fellow beings and ensure that scientific discoveries aim to establish peace. He wrote to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning him about the destructive potential of an atomic bomb that Germany might develop. Einstein was deeply shocked by the large-scale destruction caused by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S. In response, he made sincere efforts to spread the message of peace, even proposing a world government to the United Nations. He used his popularity not for personal gain but to promote democracy and peace. Honors and achievements never swayed him; instead, they motivated him to work harder for humanity’s welfare. Einstein’s life inspires us with values of sincere work, devotion to humanity, selfless service, and a commitment to peace.
Q.5. What important lessons can Educationists today learn from the biographical sketch of the great scientist, Einstein?
Ans. “A Truly Beautiful Mind” offers a critical view of the education system. A brief look at Einstein’s life reveals that he was not a fast learner in his early schooling. One teacher even declared he would fail in any course. However, Einstein proved to be an intellectual genius. Educationists can learn valuable lessons from his experience. First, teachers should consistently encourage all students, focusing on their potential rather than making negative remarks. Second, students need a liberal and supportive environment that fosters original thinking and nurtures their ideas. Einstein felt suppressed by the strict discipline at his Munich school, prompting him to leave for Switzerland, where he thrived in a more liberal university setting. Finally, all education stakeholders must work free from biases and prejudices to cultivate an inclusive and effective learning atmosphere.