who was the greatest 20th century scientist?
Determining who the greatest 20th century scientist is subjective and can vary depending on personal opinions and criteria used for evaluation. However, a commonly revered figure in the scientific community is Albert Einstein. His contributions to theoretical physics, specifically the theory of relativity, revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and energy. Einstein's work on the photoelectric effect and the famous equation E=mc^2 made significant advancements in the fields of quantum mechanics and particle physics.
To arrive at this conclusion, you can consider evaluating various criteria such as the impact of their discoveries, the breadth of their work, the influence on subsequent scientific advancements, and recognition by peers, among others. It is important to note that many other notable scientists such as Niels Bohr, Marie Curie, Max Planck, and Alan Turing also contributed significantly to scientific progress in the 20th century and could be considered as candidates for the title of the greatest scientist.