To commemorate the 100th anniversary of physicist Albert Einstein's Annus Mirabilis, or miracle year, UB's physics department is planning to arrange commemorative events to help students remember Einstein.
The year 1905 is known as Einstein's miracle year due to the publication of his most renowned works, including his ideas on the physics of life and special relativity, published in German journals.
The United Nations has declared 2005 the International Year of Physics.
"We are planning a string of fun demonstrations to show interesting physics principles," said Dr. Ulrich Baur, a UB physics professor. "Through these demonstrations, we hope that we can teach students important concepts, as well as entertain them. The events will be held early next autumn."
At other universities, physics departments are planning similar activities ranging from physics and poetry contests, demonstrations of physics principles, and art exhibits, to commemorate Einstein's miracle year.
"We want to raise appreciation and awareness about physics, and Einstein, in our everyday lives," Baur said, "The effect of Einstein's work is unparalleled to any other single physicist, save Sir Isaac Newton."
All the activities and events are aimed to achieve a greater understanding of physics and to change people's perception of physics. Einstein was popular not only because of his contributions to science, but his personality as well, according to Dr. Doreen Wackeroth, a UB physics professor.
Wackeroth said there are many reasons why Einstein gained so much notoriety during his time.
"The time he existed, it seemed like people were more open to learning about physics. He established a completely new way of thinking," Wackeroth said. "He was a pop star of physics."
In addition to being immensely popular, Einstein's work has greatly affected daily life and technology.
"Lasers, transistors and basically the entire computer industry are based on elements of Einstein's work," Baur said. "His theory of relativity had very important applications to the understanding of what is going on in the universe. His article on photoelectric effect was pivotal towards building quantum theory."
While the details of Einstein's work remain a mystery to many students at UB, his legacy is well known. Senior electrical engineering student Peter Mersich said he thinks Einstein was not only popular because of his intelligence, but his social aspects as well.
"Everyone knows he was a genius, but there was a mystique about him," Mersich said. "But it seems like he was a cool guy, like you could hang out with him and have a beer."
