| 30.
Science James Clerk Maxwell, who ranks alongside Einstein and Newton as one of the greatest theoretical physicists the world has known, was born 175 years ago this June. Until recently, he has remained largely unknown outside of scientific circles, neglected even by his native Scotland. Some say his personal humility contributed to his obscurity, but in this era of mobile phones and broadband, the founder of the theory that has enabled the development of wireless technology is at last being honoured in a series of public events throughout Scotland, where this year has been declared to be Maxwell Year 2006.
As a toddler, the tirelessly curious Maxwell – the only son of the ever-patient laird of Glenlair – had been fascinated to discover the hidden bell-wires attached to the visible bell-ropes that enabled bells to be rung manually but remotely in the various rooms of the Glenlair house. What was the bell-wire analogy that the mature Maxwell made to help explain his famous theory of electromagnetism?
1. |
That electricity can run along a wire in a current that is analogous to the force transmitted along a bell-wire when the bell-rope is pulled. |
2. |
That magnetic and other forces do not act instantaneously, “at-a-distance”, but require a “field” or medium to carry their effects, analogously to the fact that the force of a pull on the bell-rope must travel along the bell-wire to the bell itself. |
3. |
That wireless electromagnetic waves like light and radio waves do not require a wire for their transmission, analogously to the fact that, once the bell has been struck, the resulting sound waves do not require the bell-wire for their transmission. |
Author: Robyn Arianrhod
>> Click here for solution
The third answer 3 is correct
That magnetic and other forces do not act instantaneously, “at-a-distance”, but require a “field” or medium to carry their effects, analogously to the fact that the force of a pull on the bell-rope must travel along the bell-wire to the bell itself.
|
|
