Publisher: Book Jungle
Number Of Pages: 124
Publication Date: 2007-05-11
Sales Rank: 792993
ISBN / ASIN: 1594627207
EAN: 9781594627200
Binding: Paperback
Manufacturer: Book Jungle
Studio: Book Jungle
Average Rating: 4.5
The greatest experimental scientist Michael Faraday delivered these six lectures at London's Royal Institution. Their subjects include the components, function, and weight of the atmosphere; capillary attraction; the carbon content in oxygen and living bodies; respiration and its analogy to the burning of a candle; and much more. Numerous illustrations.
Download Description:
You see, then, in the first instance, that a beautiful cup is formed. As the air comes to the candle, it moves upward by the force of the current which the heat of the candle produces, and it so cools all the sides of the wax, tallow, or fuel as to keep the edge much cooler than the part within; the part within melts by the flame that runs down the wick as far as it can go before it is extinguished, but the part on the outside does not melt.
Date: 2006-10-30 Rating: 5
Review:
Lycopodium: The Lightning Of The Pantomimes
Michael Faraday was one of the most brilliant scientists in history, yet was largely self-taught. He was a modest and upright Christian, who, while he had no children of his own, particularly enjoyed lecturing to children. Many of these lectures were done at the holidays and became known as the "Christmas Lectures." The Christmas Lectures are still put on by the Royal Institution, and are now televised, by the way.
This book is an introductory treatise on the combustion of candles. If this doesn't sound interesting, think again. The book is actually a collection of transcripts of lectures given, and includes Faraday's diagrams on the experiments performed onstage. These were quite spectacular for the day, and all evidence points to him being an excellent and absorbing speaker capable of motivating people towards an interest in science. These lectures are great as they illustrate many basic chemical and physical processes and the common sense approach Faraday used to reason through difficult problems. As a prime example, please review the excellent discourse on nitrogen in lecture five.
Of course, given the audience these lectures were intended for, this isn't a mathematically or stoichiometry based book (largely, anyway), but is great at capturing the essence of the chemistry and physics of combustion. Some readers will be aghast at the cavalier way he treats some things (notably mercury vapor,) but much more is known now about these hazards.
One thing I really liked about the book, though some may not, is his insightful and colorful use of language: for instance, he describes capillary attraction as "the attraction of the hairs," and perhaps most colorfully, describes lycopodium as "the lightning of the pantomimes." (I have to admit that I had to look lycopodium up: it is, in fact, "any of a large genus [Lycopodium] of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves," or, "a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used especially in pharmacy" according to my Merriam-Webster dictionary.) This language is lyrical and evocative, and I think makes the book more enjoyable, though occasionally challenging.
For an interesting introduction to the science of combustion, "The Chemical History of a Candle" is still the outstanding classic of the centuries, and I recommend it highly.
Date: 2005-04-29 Rating: 4
Review:
worth the effort
I enjoy reading physics texts, but I had never really enjoyed reading transcripts of lectures (in any subject). This book, however, was definitely worth the time and effort to read.
Even though most of the concepts are simple, basic physics, I still learned things. Most wonderful of all were the many times a lightbulb clicked on in my mind when I saw how simply and cleverly Faraday constructed his experiments. These guys really had it together.
Though somewhat devoid of helpful diagrams, the text of this work is often enough to give the reader a good idea of how Faraday was conducting his experiments and presentation. I think the biggest detractor is that you really have to slog through the work and use your imagination to figure out what he's describing.
My only wish is that I could have been there to see these lectures myself. Sounds like quite the demonstration.
Date: 2002-10-20 Rating: 5
Review:
Breathes fire into science
This book changed my life.
During my Junior year, I decided to change my major from English (future law student) to physics. I went online, read reviews (thanks Amazon!) and ended up buying this book, Feynman's lectures, Dirac's quantum mechanics, and Bondii's relativity. To say that I look upon the summer spent reading these books fondly would be the understatement of a lifetime--I wish I could go back and learn it all again!
This book breathes science like few others. I only wish everyone (layman and professional) had an ear for the simple beauty which Dr. Faraday makes so plain.
Date: 2001-08-14 Rating: 2
Review:
The Chemical History of a Candle
My godmother brought me this book because I had to read it for school. This book was not amusing to me and to me his lectures were boring just like some teachers. At first I had interest in the book and then later on through the book I didn't want to read it anymore. You really have to love science and chemistry to read this book. I'm a junior in highscool so I think a lot of other teenagers will agree with me.
Date: 2001-05-17 Rating: 5
Review:
Faraday Fascinates
When Michael Faraday first introduced his "Christmas Lectures" over 100 years ago, he truly wowed the crowd. The man loved nature & science & eagerly presented his lessons in the most delightful manner and this book captures the fullness of his style. These lectures were originally intended for the youth of 19th century London but even today's savy students will be keen for this slender volume which delights, teaches and holds your attention. I am already recommending this book to our home school organization as an example of a 'good read' which brings elegant literature to the usually dry topic of science. It's exactly the type of book that will stir real interest in the subject, in young and old alike.
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