Question

In 1905, as part of his Special Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein published the point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by equation E = me 2(energy = mass times the speed of light squared). But bombs were not what Einstein had in mind when he published this equation.

In 1929, he publicly declared that if a war broke out he would “refused to do war service, direct or indirect…” His position would change in 1933, as the result of Adolf Hitler’s coming into power in Germany.

Einstein’s greatest role in the invention of the atomic bomb was signing a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt urging that the bomb be built because some physicists feared that Germany might be working on an atomic bomb. Among those concerned were physicists Leo Szilard and Eugene Wigner. But Szilard and Wigner had no influence with those in power. So in July 1939 they explained the problem to someone who did: Albert Einstein. After talking with Einstein, in August 1939 Szilard wrote a letter to President Roosevelt with Einstein’s signature on it, which was delivered to Roosevelt in October 1939.

Germany has invaded Poland the previous month; the time was ripe for action. That October research of a-bomb began but proceeded slowly because the invention of the atomic bomb seemed distant and unlikely. In April 1940 an Einstein letter, ghost-written by Szilard, pressed the researchers on the need for “greater speed”.

As the realization of nuclear weapons grew near, Einstein looked beyond the current war to future problems that such weapons could bring. He wrote to his friend about his fear about the future use of the a-bomb.

The atomic bombings of Japan occurred three months after Germany gave in.

In November 1954, five months before his death, Einstein summarized his feelings about his role in the creation of the atomic bomb: “I made one great mistake in my life… when I signed a letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification---- the danger that the Germans would make them”.

1.What can we learn about Szilard and Wigner?

A. They were not as influential as Einstein.

B. They were responsible for the invention of nuclear weapons

C. They had cheated their friend Albert Einstein.

D. They had an intention to destroy the world.

2. Einstein realized his mistake of ___________.

A. co-operating with his workmates

B. inventing the atomic bomb

C. publishing his equation

D. signing the letter to President Roosevelt

3. We can conclude that Einstein ___________.

A. was important in the development of atomic bomb

B. was not involved in the invention of atomic bomb

C. directly participated in the invention of the atomic bomb

D. helped with the invention of atomic bomb

4. Why did Einstein suggest making atom bombs?

A. Because President Roosevelt asked to do so.

B. Because it was likely that Hitler would make them.

C. Because it was not in favor of President Roosevelt.

D. Because it was not necessary to do so.

5.The best title for the passage would be __________.

A. A Story of Albert Einstein

B. Albert Einstein and the Atomic Bomb

C. It was Unfair for Einstein

D. How the Atomic Bomb was Invented

Answer 1