Faraday is a famous British physicist and chemist. The following Faraday stories are carefully collected by me for your reference ~
/kloc-one day in 0/820, an unusual letter was sent from St. Helena, an isolated island in the South Atlantic, to the Royal College in London. The sender is a famous French great man, and the recipient is a 29-year-old experimenter. The young Englishman was surprised to see the sender's signature and opened the letter with trepidation. When I read your important discovery in Science magazine, I was deeply sorry: I really wasted my past years on very boring things. ?
The sender was the commander-in-chief of France, who was in trouble at that time, and was called? French emperor? Napoleon (1769? 182 1)。 After the Battle of Waterloo was defeated by Britain and its allies, he was exiled to St. Helena on18151210, where he was placed under house arrest until his death on May 5,182.
The recipient is one of Einstein's three heroes: Newton, Maxwell and Faraday. There are only three portraits hanging on the wall of Einstein's study.
Mike. Faraday, 179 1, was born in a poor blacksmith's house. After graduating from primary school, he dropped out of school to work as a newsboy, and later worked as a bookbinder in a small bookstore. Fortunately, the poor days of Faraday's family are not painful. He later wrote in the letter:? My father often sings. I think my father influenced me to like singing when I grow up. My mother often reads poems to us. She is very gentle, keeps the house clean and seems to have endless love for us. Poverty has not left a trace of pain at home, but has brought the family closer. In the eyes of my parents, poverty is a gift from God, not a curse. ? Faraday grew up in a warm and friendly family environment, loved reading, singing and painting all his life, and had a rich sense of humor. My father once said in the zoo when he was a child, why can't sparrows open the screen? Be a peacock first, then open the screen. ? This sentence inadvertently inspired him how to behave and how to live in the future.
Mike. Faraday (179 1? 1867)
Perhaps out of optimistic nature, seven years of nailing career did not let Faraday sink, but gave him the opportunity to read a lot of scientific works, especially taught himself a lot of knowledge about chemistry and electricity. Poor disciples often use the saved change to buy some cheap instruments and medicines, and then do various experiments according to the instructions in the book. He often came during that time? Society of Urban Philosophy? Attending lectures, cultural education and science lectures are held regularly for out-of-school teenagers here (at that time, the name of science has not been separated from the general term of philosophy).
Life often has unexpected decisive turning points. 18 10 in April, Faraday had the privilege of listening to Sir humphry davy (1778? 1829) title? Natural philosophy? The last four lectures in this series. After the lecture, excited Faraday wrote a letter to David, expressing his admiration for David and hoping that he could recommend a job related to scientific experiments. Faraday didn't have a resume to hand in, but he attached a 386-page note (now kept in the Royal Institute), which he wrote while listening attentively and bound beautifully by himself. Unexpectedly, the famous scientist not only wrote back to the bookbinder, but also hired him as an assistant experimenter in the laboratory of the Royal Institute. Faraday embarked on the road of no return in scientific research and spent the next half century in that laboratory until his retirement.
David is famous for discovering elements such as calcium, sodium, potassium, strontium, barium and magnesium 15. He is the scientist who has discovered the most chemical elements in history. He also confirmed that the chemical composition of diamonds and charcoal is the same, and he was later called? Father of inorganic chemistry? . But it is said that David and his wife were not friendly to Faraday at first, and they used him as a servant when they went out to give lectures.
Once, David was invited to design safety lights for miners. At that time, people did not have the concept of electric energy, and of course there were no batteries and light bulbs available. This research is by no means easy. Faraday suggested that David let the safety lights bring light to the mine and help David win honor. This made David look at Faraday differently. However, the honest Faraday declared that the safety light was not absolutely safe, which made the vain David very angry, so he began to reject Faraday. Later Faraday recalled:? I used to think that the smarter a person is, the nobler his moral character is. Unfortunately, I later found that, often on the contrary, many people with low social status and low knowledge level are strong, noble, sacred and full of love at heart. My expectation is to let intelligence and morality grow in parallel in the same person and restore the glory of God's original creation of mankind. ?
During his laboratory work in the Royal Institute, Faraday's talent gradually emerged, and new discoveries and inventions made him famous. Faraday's successive honors made David unbearable, thinking that this humble experimenter had taken away his grace as Britain's greatest scientist. 1824, when Faraday was nominated as an academician of the Royal Society, David resolutely opposed it. There was only one negative vote in the secret ballot. Of course, Faraday, 33, was finally elected.
However,? Adults have their own generosity? Faraday respected David as a teacher all his life and never complained about him. Later, David gradually changed his attitude towards Faraday and thanked Faraday for his help and contribution many times. 1825, the second year after Faraday was elected as an academician of the Royal Society, David, who retired due to illness, proposed Faraday to take over the post of laboratory director of the Royal Institute. In his later years, David was asked what was the most important discovery in his life. David answered without hesitation:? The most important discovery in my life is Faraday. ?
David said this because Faraday also had many great inventions and discoveries in his life. Faraday engaged in a wide range of experimental research topics, mainly chemistry at first, and then electromagnetism. In chemistry, he used low-temperature pressurized liquefaction of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen to conduct gas liquefaction research; He discovered benzene in gas fractionation; He was also the first person to observe the semiconductor phenomenon and nanoparticles that we are familiar with today. Faraday not only made many scientific discoveries, but also made many technological inventions, such as synthesizing hexachloroethane and tetrachloroethylene, manufacturing bunsen burner, optical glass, gel, carbon steel and alloy steel, which initiated metallographic analysis. Faraday's most well-known invention is the capacitor he made in 1836 and the introduced dielectric value and capacitance constant, so later generations chose Faraday as the unit of capacitance.
Faraday's best work is to discover the concepts of electromagnetic induction and electromagnetic field. 182 1 year, inspired by hans christian oersted's paper on the magnetic effect of current, he made an important discovery in the experiment: the wire passing through the current can rotate around the magnet. In the same year, he invented the (unipolar) motor with David and wollaston. Faraday further believed that there should be a harmonious symmetry between electricity and magnetism: since electricity produces magnetism, magnetism can also produce electricity. After 10 years of continuous exploration and repeated failures, Faraday finally succeeded on August 26th, 183 1 year! He turns one set of coils on or off with a voltaic battery, and instantly gets induced current from another set of coils. What does he call it? Volt induction? ; In June 65438+1October 65438+July of the same year, he completed the experiment of exciting current from the closed coil when the magnet and the closed coil move relatively. He called it? Magnetoelectric induction? ; He went on to invent the (disc) generator. Faraday's great scientific achievements are of great significance, announcing that human society has begun to enter the electrical age.
Next, Faraday discovered diamagnetism in 1832, that is, after an object is magnetized, it will produce a magnetic force opposite to the external magnetic field. He studied electrochemical decomposition in detail and got two? Faraday's law of electrolysis? . He also studied the characteristics of electricity. 1835, Faraday studied electrostatics, dielectric and gas discharge. In the study of static electricity, he found that the charge on the charged conductor only adheres to the surface of the conductor, and the charge on these surfaces has no effect on the interior of the conductor. This? Faraday shielding effect? Also applies to? Faraday cage? Above: Even when the static voltage of the metal cage rises to, for example, one million volts, all the charges are distributed on the outer surface of the cage due to the shielding effect, but the inside of the cage is not charged. At this time, if someone is hiding in the cage, it will still be very safe. This discovery not only brought many applications of engineering technology, but also made many magicians perform some thrilling programs.
A pound note with Faraday's portrait on it.
1837, Faraday further put forward the theory of electrostatic induction. As early as 1822, he tried to make light move in the direction of current through electrolytic waves to obtain polarized light, but he failed. By 1845, he realized that the polarization plane of polarized light was rotated by a strong magnetic field, which is now called? Faraday rotation effect? . 1845, Faraday also studied the relationship between light, electricity and magnetism, and proposed? Light waves and radio waves have the same properties? The theory of. Later, he studied ray vibration in 1846, gravity and electricity in 1849, and time and magnetism in 1857. On the basis of these research work, he put forward the viewpoint that electric and magnetic effects are transferred from one object to another through some intermediate medium, and thought that this medium is a kind of? Field? . 1931September 23rd, Einstein held in London, England? Centennial anniversary of automobile industry? The speech said:? I believe Faraday's influence on the world will never end. His thoughts on electromagnetic field will be discussed by future generations. ? Einstein pointed out that the introduction? Field? Faraday's concept is the most primitive idea, and the electromagnetic field itself is the most important discovery since Newton's time. This may explain why there is a portrait of Faraday on the wall of Einstein's study.
? Faraday electromagnetic field theory? Profound physical thoughts strongly attracted and inspired the young physicist Maxwell (james clerk maxwell, 183 1? 1879), so that he summed up what was later called? Maxwell equations? The basic law of electromagnetic field perfectly unifies the physical and mathematical theories of electricity and magnetism. 193 1 year, where is Einstein? Maxwell's centenary birthday? In terms of evaluation, what is his grade? Is it the most profound and fruitful work in physics after Newton? . To this end, Einstein hung a portrait of Maxwell in his study. In Einstein's view, Faraday, Maxwell and later Hertz (heinrich rudolf hertz, 1857? 1894) and others' scientific contributions by 18? /kloc-the key factor in the transition from classical physics in the 0/9th century to relativity and quantum physics in the 20th century.
Faraday not only strives for progress by himself, but also is very enthusiastic about helping young people. Maxwell, a physicist, was in an awkward position when he couldn't find a job. Faraday strongly recommended him to get a position at the Royal Institute. Physicist Joule (James Prescott Joule, 18 18? 1889), when I was young, I was repeatedly rejected by academic journals, which was very frustrating. On one occasion, he summoned up his courage and sent an article he thought was the best to the elderly Faraday for his review. Faraday wrote back soon and said? I have received the article you sent me and read it immediately. Thank you for making such a wonderful contribution to the science we sincerely love. How happy I am! When I am still alive, I can see this leap you have made for electricity. I saw your future. Brilliant! I know there are still many ambiguities in this field, but your article is like the dawn. I have to say that you have made a very important contribution in this field of natural science. ?
1825 to 1862 Faraday Trusteeship Royal Institute? A seminar on Friday night? Popular science series activities. Members attending the seminar include workers, nobles, students, professors, and sometimes the queen who loves science will come. Everyone volunteered to come here to listen to scientists' reports and learn how to conduct experiments and establish theories. Faraday has been teaching children about natural science since Christmas at 1826. He especially likes to explain the mysteries of natural phenomena to children, such as why there are clouds in the sky? Why do you always hear thunder after lightning? Why the river always flows downwards, and so on, often excites curious children. Since speeches are always held around New Year's Day, what do you call them? Christmas lecture? . This series of popular science activities for children continued until 1860, when Faraday was almost 70 years old. His speech "The Chemical History of Candles" was compiled into a book at 186 1 and then translated into many languages for publication.
The cover of Faraday's Chemical History of Candles.
Faraday is a very devout Christian. In an inspiring public speech, Faraday introduced his electromagnetic discovery to everyone. Besides celebrities, scholars and professors, there are also Queen Victoria and some dignitaries. After Faraday's speech, the audience stood up and applauded warmly. However, everyone waited for a long time but didn't see Faraday appear again to thank him. It turned out that he slipped out the back door to find a seriously ill old man to comfort and encourage her to read the Bible. In Faraday's view, it is more important to spend the last period of life with a dying old man than to accept the praise of a group of great men.
After Faraday became famous as a chemist, British courts often hired him to do criminal drug identification. He was advised to quit his research job in the laboratory and work in the court with an annual salary of five times. But Faraday smiled and shook his head. From 1853 to 1856, the famous Crimean War broke out in Europe. One side is the Russian Empire, and the other side is the Ottoman Empire, France and Britain. At that time, the British government invited Faraday to develop chemical weapons, but he thought it was inhuman and flatly refused.
Faraday lived a simple life and didn't advocate wealth, so that newcomers often mistook him for a gatekeeper when they went to the Royal Institute for experiments. Faraday and Sarah are 27? Sarah Barnard (1800? 1879) married. His wife is very supportive of Faraday's indifference to fame and fortune and devoted herself to scientific research. She once said: Although science is so exciting and attractive to him and often deprives him of sleep time, I am content to be the pillow of his thoughts. ? They have no children, both of them are devout Christians, and they have never had the habit of saving money all their lives. They regularly distribute most of their income to the poor. Faraday never had his own house all his life. He and his wife lived in a small room on the top floor of the Royal College for 42 years. It is said that on the day of his retirement in 1858, when he and his wife stepped out of the gate with suitcases, Queen Victoria and her royal guard of honor appeared in front of them and specially saw them off. The queen invited me to move to the house I prepared for you at Hampton Palace. ? But Faraday shook his head and said, Thanks a lot, but I can't afford the rent. ? The queen smiled and said, rent-free? Faraday or shirking: I can't afford the maintenance and management fee for such a big house. ? The queen smiled again: Don't worry, I'll pay. ? Finally, the Faraday couple moved into a place where masons once lived and spent the rest of their lives peacefully.
Faraday, who only received primary education, won many honors and awards after becoming famous. Here are some representative ones: 1832 was awarded an honorary doctorate by Oxford University and was elected as a foreign academician of the American College of Arts and Sciences; The following year, he became the first Fullerian professor of chemistry at the Royal College. 1838 shared the copley gold medal with Gauss. 1844 became one of the only eight foreign academicians of the French Academy of Sciences at that time, and so on. Faraday said he would congratulate his friend. I admit that these honors are valuable, but I have never worked hard for them. ?
The Royal Society elected Faraday as the chairman of the Royal Society twice, but he refused. He said:? I'm just an ordinary person. If I accept this honor from the Royal Society, I can't guarantee my sincerity and integrity, even for a year. ? Queen Victoria tried to canonize him? Knight? Knighthood, which is the highest lifelong honor awarded by the British royal family, but he also declined politely, saying: I have been an ordinary person all my life, Faraday. ?
1867 On August 25th, 76-year-old Faraday passed away peacefully at home. There is a sacred Westminster Abbey in London, commonly known as Westminster Abbey, where the king of England ascended the throne and the royal family held a wedding. If you can be buried here after death, even if you put a tombstone, it will be the supreme glory. Many great men are buried here, including Newton, Darwin, Dickens, Churchill and Milton. With the persistence of being a civilian all his life, Faraday rejected the suggestion of burying the Queen in Westminster Abbey after her death, and finally buried her in Highgate Cemetery in the north of London.
Mike. Faraday statue (outside the engineering and technical society building in Sava Square, London)
Faraday has had too many achievements in his life, but he thinks that death is a private matter, and he just needs to simply engrave:? Mike. Faraday was born on September 22nd, 179 1 and died on August 25th, 1867. ? However, a stone engraved with his name was later solemnly placed next to Newton's tomb in Westminster Abbey.
At Faraday's funeral, people heard and remembered his wife's last words? I've spent my whole life serving God with science? .
refer to
[1] The obituary of the deceased researcher, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series A, Volume 17, l-lxviii, rspl. 1868.0002, 1923
[2] Royal Society, biography of michael faraday: http://www. Rigb. Org/our-history/people/f/ Michael Faraday
[3] Zhang Wenliang. Father of electricity? The story of Faraday. Taipei: Wenjing Publishing House, 1999.
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