THE PHYSICISTS

Tracing the history of Physics is difficult because man's interest with matter and energy is as old as man himself. the oldest body systematized knowledge about the forms of matter dates to the Greeks. The following scientists contributed much to the development of physics.

1. Aristotle. He believes that all things are made up of four elements, namely : air, earth, fire and water.

2. Democritus and Epicurus. Both held the view that matter could be divided into time atoms. during their time, the concept about the atom was established.

3. Galileo Galilee. He studied the behavior of falling bodies and formulated the laws about the behavior of these objects. he also experimented with pendulum and used them in clocks.

4. Johannes Kepler. He discovered that the planets follow an elliptical orbit and that their motion could write in a mathematical formula, which he used to predict the planet's motion in the future. the laws of Kepler are used in calculating the flight paths of today's space vehicle.

5. Robert Boyle. He formulated one of the laws of gases stating the relationship between pressure and volume at constant temperature.

6. Sir Isaac Newton. the year Galileo died, Newton was born. Newton formulated the laws of motion and of universal gravitation. he also discovered the nature and composition of light.

7. Benjamin Franklin and Michael Faraday. Scientific studies on hat and electrical energy started in the eighteenth century when these two men worked on electricity. Franklin is best remembered for his famous kite experiment to study lightning and his invention of the lightning rod to attract lightning. Faraday proved that magnets could be used to produce an electric current, enabling him to build an electric generator.

8. Count Rumford and James P. Joule. They investigated the heat energy.

9. Thomas Young and Augustin Fresnel. At the start of the nineteenth century, theses two men further advanced the study of light. Young first demonstrated the interference of light, substantiating the wave theory of light.

10. James Maxwell. He worked on electromagnetism. He formulated general equations on the electromagnetic field and made significant contributions to the development of the kinetic theory of gases.

11. William Roentgen and Henri Becquerel. Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895 and Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896. Studies on radioactivity led to the development of nuclear physics.

12. Albert Einstein and Max Planck. Einstein formulated the theory of relativity and Max Planck formulated the quantum theories by which are the bases of quantum mechanics.

More studies on the atoms and particles where carried out. Electronics devices were introduced and communication systems were improved. Computers were also invented. Lately, scientists have turned their attention to a more challenging role, the launching of spaceships for the exploration of outer space.

A N A L Y S I S

a. Is man responsible for technology and its effect?
b. How does technology affect the quality and quantity of life?