Unit 1 Scientific Milestones

Lead In

1. Look at the dictionary entries from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English for the words ‘discovery’ and ‘invention’. What is the difference between them?

discovery n 1[C] a fact or thing that someone discovers that was hidden or not known about before: recent archeological discoveries | make a discovery Astronomers have made significant discoveries about our galaxy… 3 [U] the act of discovering something: [+ of] The discovery of oil in Alaska was a boon to the economy.

invention n 1[C] a useful machine, tool, instrument etc that has been invented: The dishwasher is a wonderful invention. 2 [U] the act of inventing something: The invention of a computer has revolutionized the business world.

2. Sort out the inventions and discoveries into two columns. Compare and discuss your lists with a partner.

e. g. X-rays e. g. telescope

metric system, magnetic compass, gunpowder, heredity, periodic table of

elements, seismograph, gravity, the slide rule, geological time scale, natural

selection, electricity, cartogram, icebox, the South Pole, steam engine, radio,

telephone, photography, microscope, penicillin, Richter scale, Przewalski's

horse, barometer, electricity.

3. Which areas of scientific study or technology do they belong to? Which of them are used in more than one natural science?

Speaking

1. Look through the list of words below that are used to describe these inventions:

Metric system telescope compass thermometer microscope

Check if you know the meanings of the words. How are they related to the inventions?

to contain	to determine	image
concave	magnification	to observe
direction	liquid	to multiply
to measure	constellations	volume
angle	decimal	unit
component	to expand
mercury	to focus

2. Work with a partner. Take turns to describe the purpose of each invention.

Example: Metric system (decimal, system, to measure, meters, hours, kilograms,

etc.)

• The Metric system is the International decimal system of weights and measures which / that is used to measure time, distance (length) and mass. It is based on meters; seconds, kilograms, etc.

• The Metric system is the International decimal system of weights and measures for measuring time, distance and mass. It uses meters; seconds, kilograms, etc.

• The Metric system is the International decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter and the kilogram and the second. Its main function is to measure time, distance and mass.

1. Microscope (device, to magnify, small objects, to examine, lenses, scientifically)

2. Compass (tool/device, to find, magnetic north, suspended needle, to point to direction)

3. Thermometer (device, to measure, to rise, to fall, graduated glass cylinder, line, water, temperature, air, mercury, people’s body, to move up or down, coloured alcohol, to contain)

4. Telescope (instrument, cylindrical, to enlarge, to observe, stars, planets, lenses, mirrors)

Reading

1. You are going to read about famous scientists M. Lomonosov, T. Edison and

B. Pascal and their research work. With a partner check if you know:

• What fields did they work in?

• What did they discover or invent?

2. As you read complete the chart.

Name	Country	Field of science	Accomplishments
Lomonosov
Pascal
Edison

Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765) Lomonosov was the first Russian scientist of worldwide importance. His achievements in physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology and geography as well as his construction of instruments made a significant contribution to the development of Natural Sciences. Lomonosov considered chemistry his main ‘profession’. His major scientific accomplishments were in theoretical and experimental chemistry. It was Lomonosov who founded a new science, namely, physical chemistry by explaining chemical phenomena through the laws of physics. His law of concentration of matter and development of atomic-molecular theory of matter and molecular-kinetic theory were a revolution in Natural Science of the time. Besides, he made some notable discoveries in astronomy, geology and mineralogy. In particular, he developed the principle that nature undergoes continuous evolution and demonstrated the organic origin of soil, coal, gas, peat and amber. Lomonosov was also the first to separate geological processes into external (exogenic - wind, rain, rivers, glaciers,etc) and internal (endogenic - tectonic movements, volcanoes, etc). His geographical investigation led to the discovery of the northern passage to India.

Blaise Pascal (1623 -1662) At 14, Blaise Pascal,a French mathematician and philosopher, began attending weekly lectures on mathematics. When he was only 16years old, Blaise wrote a paper on conic sections, which was acclaimed by his fellow mathematicians as ‘the most powerful and valuable contribution that had been made to mathematical science since the days of Archimedes’. This paper laid the foundations for the modern study and application of conic sections. Pascal always tried to make his work in science and mathematics of practical use to mankind. While still a teenager, he invented the first machine to do calculations - an arithmetic machine that could add and subtract. Pascal also worked with another mathematician, Fermat, on the Theory of Probability. He, in particular, invented a simple method known as Pascal’s Triangle to determine the probability of certain outcomes.

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) Perhaps the man who did most to make everyday life what it is today was Thomas Alva Edison. He was curious about the world around him and always tried to teach himself through reading and experiments. Many of Edison’s most important inventions were made in his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. In 1877 Thomas Edison made a recording on a little machine which he had invented and played it back to himself. The first phonograph was not at all like a record player of our time. Anyway, it was a great step forward, a step that was to lead to the modern science of sound recording. In October 1879 after long experiments he succeeded in making an incandescent lamp in which a loop of carbonized cotton thread glowed in vacuum for more than 40 hours. In addition to the phonograph, incandescent light bulb and the electric train, he also conducted early experiments in wireless technology. In 1885 he patented a method of transmitting telegraphic signals from moving trains. His life and achievements symbolize the ideal of applied research.

(Adapted from the Internet sites)