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Major Inventions in Physics Part-I



MECHANICS AND THERMODYNAMICS
Mecahnic is concerned with the motion of particles or bodies under the action of forces and torque.
Thermodynamics is concerned with the internal macroscopic state of the body.

1. Steam Engine (1712): 
-A type of heat engine which uses thermal energy produced by steam in producing a mechanical work.
-It's concept was proposed by ancient Greeks but practically it was Invented by Thomas Newcomen  in 1712.
-In the late 18th century, to increase its efficiency and power,James Watt (Scottish engineer) made significant changes in the steam engine.
-It boosted the industrial revolution as it aided in the mass production and the transformation of goods that is their transportation which facilitated the global trade thereby increasing the economic growth.
-It has four parts which holds it principle of working:-
•Boiler: Steam is produced as water boils by the heat in boiler.
•Cylinder:A piston pushes down as steam is directed to the cylinder.
•Crankshaft:Further,piston enables a crankshaft to convert up and down motion into rotary motion.
•Flywheel:It smoothes out the rotary motion from crankshaft thus providing a steady outfit.
-They are used in power plants to generate electricity,paper mills and textile factories,ships requiring high power and efficiency also uses steam engines.

2. Thermometer (1593): 
-A device used to measure temperature which is a fundamental physical property and is essential in various aspects of life, from science and medicine to everyday applications.
-It's concept was proposed by ancient Greek Philosophers Aristotle and Galen who thought of methods for measuring temperature.
-It was Developed practically by Santorio Santorio in 1612, using a glass tube filled with air and water.
-Later on, a standard instrument for measuring temperature was developed by Gabreil Fahrenheit a German Physicist in 1714 which is known as Mercury Thermometer
.
-It can be used, for weather forecast, to measure body temperature for diagnosing diseases,manufacturing and food processing,in climate research and materials science.
-It works on two principles:
•Expansion and Contraction: Rely on the expansion and contraction of materials with temperature changes.
•Temperature Sensing: It senses the changes in temperature and converts them into readable format.
-It is of four types:
•Mercury Thermometer 
•Digital Thermometer 
•Infrared Thermometer 
•Thermocouple Thermometer 

3. Barometer (1643):  
-A scientific instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure also called as barometric pressure.
-Firstly it was Invented by Evangelista Torricelli in 1643 which used a column of mercury to measure the pressure which was the standard measurement for centuries.
-In 19th century, a barometer using a series of metal cylinders known as aneroid barometer to measure pressure was Invented.
-It helps in predicting weather patterns like low and high pressure storms, helps in aviation,helps in measuring altitude such as atmospheric pressure decreases with inth5 creasing elevation.
-It works on two principles:
•Pressure measurement: It measures pressure by detecting changes in the height of a liquid column (water or mercury ).
•Calibration: To display reading in units like milibars(mb),inches of mercury (inHg) or pounds per square inch (psi) barometers are calibrated.
-There are three types of barometer:
•Mercury Barometer 
•Aneroid Barometer
•Digital Barometer 


ELECTROMAGNETISM 
Electromagnetism is the physical interaction between electric charges, magnetic moments, and electromagnetic fields. An electromagnetic field can be static, slowly changing, or in the form of waves.

1. Electric Motor (1834): 
-An electrical instrument which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy hence generating motion,torque or rotational force.
-It's concept was proposed in 1820 by Danish Scientist Hans Christian Oersted when he discoverd the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
-First practical electric motor was Invented by an American inventor Thomas Davenport in 1834.
-Over the years,it has been significantly changed in materials and designs to improve efficiency.
-It is used in household appliances like refrigerator,air conditioner,washing machine and in Transportation, industrial machinery and automation.
-It works on the following principles:
•Electromagnetic induction: In this, an electric current generates a magnetic field.
•Magnetic Field interaction: One magnetic fields react with stationary magnetic field thus causing the motor's rotor to rotate.
•Mechanical energy output: The rotating rotor creates mechanical energy which is transmitted to the motor's output shaft.
-There are four types of electric motors:
•DC Motor
•AC Motor
•Stepper Motor
•Brushless DC Motor

2. Generator (1831): 
-An electrical machine which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy thereby producing an electric current.
-Its concept was proposed by British scientists Micheal Faraday in 1831 when he discoverd the principle of electromagnetic induction.
-Gramme Machine a first practical generator was invented in 1870 by Belgian engineer Zenobe Gramme.
- Over the years it has been changed significantly in materials and design to improve efficiency.
-It is used, for power generation, in industrial processes for oil refining, In wind turbines and hydroelectric powerplants, it can also be used as a backup source for power during emergencies.
-It works on the following principles:
•Electromagnetic induction: A situation where a magnetic field induces an electric current in a conductor.
•Mechanical energy input:This kind of energy is put into generator through turbines or engines.
•Magnetic Field rotation: Mechanical energy induces a magnetic field to rotate thus producing an electric current in generators windings.
•Electrical energy output: This induced electrical current is an output from generator mostly in the form of alternating current (AC).
-There are four types of generators:
•DC Generators
•AC Generators
•Induction Generators
•Synchronous Generators

3. Light Bulb (1879):
-An electrical device which produces light from electricity that has transformed the way we live,work and interact.
-It's concept was proposed by Humphry Davy in 1802 when he demonstrated the principle of incandescent light.
-First practical Bulb was developed in 1860 by Joseph Swan using carbonized paper as filament.
-However, in 1879 Thomas Edison improved Swan's design by developing a longer-lasting bamboo filament and more effective vacuum pump.
-It is used for residential and commercial lighting, construction lighting is possible because of these only, automobiles like vehicles use these as their headlights,taillights and interior lighting.
-It works on the following principles:
•Incandescence: In this situation, an electric current heats a metal filament until it glows.
•Electricity flow: Filament is heated up when electricity flows thus producing light.
•Glass enclosure:Filament being enclosed in an evacuated glass bulb prevents it from burning.
-There are four types of light bulbs:
•Incandescent Bulbs
•Fluorescent Bulbs
•LED Bulbs
•Halogen Bulbs.


These inventions have transformed our understanding of the physical world, from the smallest subatomic particles to the vast expanse of the universe.

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