Vocabulary

1. high-energy physics- физика высоких энергий

2. controlled thermonuclear fusion-управляемая термоядерная реакция

3. to originate- происходить, брать начало

4. electron beam- электронный пучок/луч

5. to enable- делать возможным

6. to collide- сталкиваться

7. colliding electron-positron beam- встречные пучки электронов и позитронов

8. charged particle- заряженная частица

9. free-electron laser- лазер на свободных электронах

10. to undertake- предпринимать

Vocabulary development

2.3 Match the words with their definitions.

originate capability call on approach fusion initiate installation

the ability to do something the process in which atoms combine to form nuclear energy a particular way of thinking or doing something to officially ask somebody to do something to begin to exist or appear for the 1st time to make something start a system or piece of equipment that has been made ready for use

2.4 Give English equivalents.

1. управляемая термоядерная реакция

2. яркий представитель научной школы Курчатова

3. интенсивные электронные пучки

4. установки на встречных пучках электронов и позитронов

5. разрабатывать новые методы ускорения заряженных частиц

6. поддерживать тесные научные связи

7. предложить захватывающую идею

8. создание новых ускорителей для научных и промышленных целей.

Comprehension

2.5 Complete the sentences.

1. G.I. Budker was.___________ of Kurchatov’s school.

2. The main subject of Budker’s laboratory was the physics of_____________.

3. The use of linear colliding electron-electron beams has greatly contributed to the study of_____________.

4. Special ______________ were designed and constructed for different purposes.

5. ______________ is considered to be a promising source of energy.

2.6 Check your understanding of the text answering the following questions.

1. What is the INP famous for?

2. What did the institute originate from?

3. What was the main subject of research in Budker’s laboratory?

4. What installations could be designed and constructed basing on the research conducted?

5. What new approach was elaborated to the study of high-energy physics?

6. What are the main directions of scientific activity of the INP now?

7. What is the qualification of the research stuff working at the institute?

8. What leading centres does the INP maintain scientific contacts with?

Writing

2.7 Write a short essay about the Institute of Nuclear Physics (80-100 words). Unit 3

Before you read

3.1 Discuss these questions in small groups.

-In chemistry and physics, what is an atom?

-What is the structure of an atom?

-What happens if you split an atom?

3.2 Read the text for the main ideas. The atom

The ancient Greeks were the first to use the term atomos, meaning the smallest possible separation of matter. But it was first hypothesized scientifically by the British chemist John Dalton (1766-1844) when he suggested it was the smallest particle that could exist. Since then, smaller subatomic particles have been discovered and the part they play as the basic building blocks of the universe is clear. We now know that atoms are made up of differing numbers of electrons, neutrons and protons, and these too are made up of even smaller particles.

Dalton's theory about atoms was not immediately accepted by chemists. However, we know now that Dalton was correct in almost everything he said in his theory of the atom. He described an atom, even though he had never seen one, as a particle that cannot change its nature. It could, he observed, combine with the atoms of other chemical elements to create a compound. Almost a century later the first subatomic particles were discovered. By the 1930s, physicists were working with new ideas which allowed them to investigate the parts of the atom in great detail. In turn, these developments helped them to develop quantum mechanics - the basis of both modern chemistry and physics.

In chemistry, the atom is the smallest part of an element that can still be recognized. An example will explain best of all. Each element is identified by the number of protons it has. An atom of carbon has six protons. Those six protons without the neutrons and electrons, or the electrons without the other subatomic particles are simply subatomic particles; they are not carbon. A carbon atom can be combined with two atoms of oxygen to give the compound carbon dioxide, or C0₂. It is this difference in the number of subatomic particles that makes one atom different from another.

Subatomic particles also have another purpose. If there is the same number of electrons and protons in the atom, then the atom will be electronically neutral. A difference between the two means the atom has an electrical charge, in other words, it produces electricity. This electricity means the electrons can become attracted to each other. In this way, atoms can bond together to form molecules, and when enough molecules are joined together we have matter that we can see.

The most recent theories of the origin of the universe say that all the atoms in the universe were formed in the first few minutes of the universe coming into existence. The most common element is the simplest, hydrogen, which has the atomic number 1. Seventy-five per cent of all atoms are hydrogen atoms. The next most simple is the next most common, helium, atomic number 2 making twenty-four per cent of all atoms. All the other atoms add up to just one per cent of everything that exists in the universe.