TOP 5 DISCARDED THEORIES OF SCIENCE

 5. VITAL FORCE THEORY

For many years, there was a vast gap between organic and inorganic molecules. They differed in their structural formation and reaction types/mechanisms.

Berzelius tried to bridge this gap in 1809 by formulating the Vital Force Theory which stated that organic compounds can never be synthesised starting with inorganic components, i.e. a vital force was required for the synthesis of organic compounds which is absent in other molecules.

After nearly two decades, the death blow came of the vital force theory came. Friedrich Wohler in 1828 synthesised urea from inorganic potassium cyanate and ammonium nitrate.

4. LUMINIFEROUS ETHER

This theory was established in the 19^th century by scientists (Robert Boyle was prominent among them) due to the firm belief that waves can transmit only through material medium. The argument could not explain the transmission of light waves from Sun to Earth which are separated by emptiness (vacuum). So they devised the existence of the medium ether which occupied all volume devoid of other media.

The ether theory withered away with the advancements of electromagnetic wave theory; which proved the possibility of transmission of EM waves even in vacuum. This removed the significance of Ether’s existence and since no proofs supporting its existence were ever found, it was game over for Ether.

3. PHLOGISTON THEORY

Phlogiston theory was introduced by Johann Joachim Becher in 1667. It stated the existence of phlogiston, a tasteless, odourless, mass less entity contained in matter that enables its combustion. Though seemingly foolish now, the theory held firm for nearly a century, until it was disproved by Mikhail Lomonosov.

The theory states that phlogisticated substance burns in air to become dephlogisticated to yield residue calx and this in turn makes the air phlogisticated. This model is opposite to the role of oxygen in the modern oxidation theory. The fact that burning of a substance in a closed container ceases after sometime is explained in the Phlogiston theory by proposing that the air in the container gets saturated with phlogiston by that time.

Lomonosov disproved the theory by providing some experimental and theoretical proofs, among which the simplest is the fact that burned metals gains in weight which contradicts the removal of phlogistons from the metal. The Phlogiston’s defence to this by assuming negative mass was short lived.

2. GEOCENTRISM

In many ancient civilisations it was believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe and the Sun, Moon and other celestial bodies revolved around it (Geocentric Model). This theory was devised from the fact that for an Earth bound observer, Earth seems to be at rest and the heavenly bodies seem to move in circles around it. The prominent persons to support Geocentrism include Aristotle and Ptolemy.

Geocentrism faced its first challenge from Coppernicus, who firmly believed in a heliocentric model of the universe (with the sun at the centre). This model did not gain public support in the Renaissance and was forgotten until Galilio gave evidence to support it with his telescope in 1611. This gave solid foundation to heliocentrism which then displaced geocentrism

1. STEADY STATE THEORY

Steady state theory was proposed by Fred Hoyle, Thomas Gold and Hermann Bondi in 1948 as an alternative to the Big Bang theory. It supported the Big Bang view of matter being created continuously in the universe keeping the average mass density roughly constant; but it states that the universe had no beginning and end contradicting the Big Bang.

Well, am not going into the details of the two models as that will include mentioning formation of baryon per cubic megaparsec and dark matters which are a teeny weeny bit difficult to understand.

As the two models contradicted each other, only one could survive. The findings of many satellites in recent times, give evidence supporting the Big Bang and the theory is accepted widely in the scientific community, leading to the demise of the steady state theory

COME AGAIN TOMORROW

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TOP FIVE ON OUR JOURNEY TO MERCURY

TOP FIVE ON OUR JOURNEY TO MERCURY

Mercury has been the most mysterious among the planets until recent times. But it gives us a lot of energy when we think that there is nothing which has no explanation. I was fascinated when I read about the efforts of mankind to explore mercury. Top five on mercury presents the top five on the timeline of our expedition to mercury. Please make sure that you don’t stop in between‘s as you are in a ‘Time travel’. You will definitely feel that the very ‘1’ at the bottom of the page wouldn’t have got this much life without the top ‘4’.

5. In the times of Copernicus

I have already mentioned about mysterious nature of mercury, well let me take some effort to explain its probable reason. It is the size and position of mercury relative to earth that account for the most of it. Mercury is just 1/20^th of the volume of earth and lies most nearer to the sun. Together with this various optical effects gives us a blurred image of mercury, or possibly a zero image.

                                In this period astronomers could explain really nothing about the mysterious mercury. Copernicus who was massively upset for that he couldn't see mercury in the whole of his lifetime would have been the most joyous man if was alive today.

4. 1940’s

An advanced space technology and research facility was not there in the assistance of astronomers in this period of time. Telescopes were the sole aid to satisfy their thirst to study the wonders of our neighbors, but there was a problem. Have you seen anyone doing star gazing in plain day light? We need the sky to be really dark to have our studies done. But mercury was so stubborn that she never came out in the night.

          
Even then our ancestors put their best to reveal the secrets of mercury with aid of various drawings. End of the day they had some thrilling conclusions - mercury is synchronous! –mathematically it happens when period of rotation equals the planets period of revolution. I.e. in practice a particular hemisphere will always face the sun.

3.1960’s

Synchronous mercury means, a planet that is hottest and the coldest at the same time. But whenever you read between the lines of history you always see how the time cheats logic.

           
Advanced Telescopes and radar technology gifted 1960’s some basic information about the planet. The period of mercury was found to be the 2/3^rd of its period of revolution; simply mercury is no more synchronous, day and night varies alternatively. And if you were in mercury you would have day equivalent to 176 days on earth!

2. When Mariner 10  went to see mercury

Mariner 10 is the supreme symbol of the effort and ingenuity in the whole history of mercury expedition. It was this mariner project of 1974 which enlighted us with the secrets of mercury to a great extend. With aid of numerous instruments and sensors, mariner delivered much more than what it was expected for. Cameras of mariner took thousands of pictures in its three visits (or precisely fly-bys) of mercury. Almost 45 percent of mercury’s surface was covered in the three visits of mariner.

1. Our messenger to mercury

Hey you are back in time, how was the journey? Today we are eagerly waiting for new findings and explanations from the National Aeronautics and space Administration (NASA) of United States. Only from the fly-bys which are the part of its complex trajectory provided us ‘high’ small resolution of the planet. It even covered an extra 25 percent of the mercury surface which mariner couldn’t.

From its present elliptical orbit with a closest approach of 200 km, within 6 months messenger will have the entire surface of mercury covered. Six months, before we solve the mystery ….. Before we have something more towards the birth of the universe.

C U NEXT DAY…..