By PRAGYANSHARMA POLAVARAPU (Vrs.Somanchi)
A LITTLE OF SCIENCE. IT IS
SO INTERESTING!
When the first scientific revolution
started about 400-500 years ago , the old findings and old discoveries of
ancient philosophers inspired greater and
more thorough investigation by modern scientists. This was the way modern science was born.We examine here
the subject of heat energy from various angles. In carrying out experiments ,
most accurate measuring devices and apparatus were used . Most accurate metric units were defined and were
followed by scientists of all countries .This created uniformity in research
procedures. Experimental results could be verified in any laboratoty in any
university in any country.
Nice chemical laboratories were
established in every college with a collection of standard analytical agents
like salts and crystals, acids and hydroxides , a very clean glass apparatus
and highly pure “distilled water” the main reagent in a chemical laboratory .
An accurate laboratory balance for weighing, a reliable thermometer, standard
units for length and weight(mass) made in platinum –iridium and enclosed in
glass cases in central laboratories, defining small time unit and devising
accurate pendulum clock, an accurate pressure gauge, the microscope,
small laboratory heating burners etc –all such helped
in understanding unknown phenomena and unknown properties of substances
and discovering new laws of nature.
Special unbreakable glass
apparatus(ex:the famed Jena glass) like test tubes and beakers,long neck
beahers , gas collecting jars , big “bell jars”,bee-hive shelfs , porcelain
crucibles , fractionating columns etc were all devised. Procedures and
apparatus for measuring length ,time, weight etc even up to a fraction of
thousandth or even hundred thousandth part were invented. A strict
procedure for noting observations in a standardized form and approved by the
supervising professor with date and time of experiments , hourly changes etc
was introduced.
In modern times measurement even up
to giga level (billion times) and nano fractional level( one billionth
fraction) is being done in physics and chemistry laboratories. Research was
greatly aided by advanced mathematical theories. As example we may note that
Sir Issac Newton developed a mathematical discipline called calculus and used
it in deriving his laws of motion. Experiments were performed with great
perfection. Same experiment performed at different laboratories ,at
different universities by different experimenters gave the same
result . Standardized experimental procedures, standardization of apparatus and
ultra-purity of substances were insisted upon at all laboratories of the world.
It was the correct environment for all research.
The subject of “Heat scienc”
was one of the important areas of study during last 200-300
years. The biggest scientists were involved. These early studies led to all the
modern discoveries and inventions. Theories — like Dr Maxwell’s theory of
Electro- magnetic Radiations, Dr Max Plank’s Quatum theory about emission of
quanta of energy , Dr Niels Bohr’s theory explaining how
emission or absorption of all energy takes place in the electron orbits
inside every atom, the great theory of Dr Albert Einstein
about photons as units for all energy emission etc. These theories
changed the entire course of physics and views about matter and energy in the
universe. We now know that heat and light, familiar to
us every moment are parts of the electro-magnetic
spectrum and that heat and light photons are emitted from electron orbits .
After the availability of high
voltage electrical energy great inventions and discoveries took place in
physics. They are– discovery of Electron , discovery of X-rays,
detailed study of Radioactive substances and discovery of the law E=mc2
telling about colossal energy locked inside atom.
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