The Shadow of Great Britain

185: Chapter 130 Arthur’s Electronic Theory_3 185: Chapter 130 Arthur’s Electronic Theory_3 At the time, Sir David believed the reason was that the copper wire mesh had good thermal conductivity, so it conducted away the heat produced by the oil lamp’s flame, preventing the flammable gases inside the mine from reaching temperatures exceeding their ignition point, thus suppressing the likelihood of mine explosions.

However, after the emergence of the Faraday cage, which operates on a similar principle, I’m afraid that the explanation for the Davy lamp might need some adjustment.

Because if the copper wire mesh indeed absorbed the heat, then as the lamp continued to burn over time, the mesh would eventually be heated to the ignition temperature of the combustible gases.

Therefore, I believe that just explaining this problem from a macroscopic thermodynamic perspective is hardly convincing,”

Arthur said this, when suddenly, a lady of similar age standing beside Mrs.

Cordington, wearing a black wide-brimmed hat, unexpectedly asked, “Are you perhaps referring to Mr.

John Dalton’s atomic theory?”

Arthur was somewhat surprised to hear this.

Although he knew that the ladies of the Bluestocking Society were always keen on scientific research, he had not anticipated their knowledge to be so extensive.

He looked towards the lady, ready to ask, but then he recalled the rule against asking a lady for her name unbidden and his half-open mouth stiffened slightly.

But Mrs.

Cordington, as the hostess, quickly noticed his predicament and came forward with a smile to relieve him, “Mr.

Hastings, I must apologize, I forgot to introduce you to our guests today.

This lady standing next to me is Mrs.

Mary Somerville, a researcher in the field of astrophysics who also works on magnetism.

In the past few years, she published a paper in the Royal Society’s journal titled ‘The Magnetizing Power of More Refrangible Solar Rays,’ but due to her status, she hasn’t yet had the opportunity to give a scientific lecture at the Royal Society.

The presentation on that paper was given on her behalf by her husband, Mr.

William Somerville.”

Upon hearing this name, Arthur immediately knew who she was because not long ago Faraday had given him a copy of the soon-to-be-published English translation of Laplace’s ‘Celestial Mechanics,’ a work translated by none other than Mrs.

Mary Somerville standing before him.

He took off his hat and nodded in greeting, “Madam, I truly did not expect to meet you here.”

Mrs.

Somerville merely smiled, “Mr.

Hastings, I too have long wished to meet you.

I want to tell you that I think Mr.

George Airy’s criticisms of you are utterly unfounded!

Whether it’s the ‘lines of force’ concept that both you and Mr.

Faraday agree upon, or your Hastings Force, they are quite remarkable achievements.

The reason I guessed that you planned to explain the Faraday cage and the Davy lamp from an atomic theory perspective is because you are the proposer of Hastings Force, and I knew you would certainly find the microscopic connections between these things.

So, what new thing have you discovered?

If Mr.

John Dalton’s atomic theory states that all matter is composed of atoms, do you plan to add something new to this theory?”

Arthur nodded, “Yes, through the Davy lamp and the Faraday cage, I boldly conjecture that not only is matter composed of atoms, but I am honored to announce to the world that all atoms are charged.

The Davy lamp might not be as simple as we see it; it’s not merely a superficial combustion reaction.

Just a few days ago, when I went to Mr.

Faraday to borrow something, I presented him with this idea, and right after that, the two of us simply performed an experiment.”

Mrs.

Somerville, hearing this, seemed to have thought of something and excitedly asked, “Could it be…”

Arthur smiled, “Through relentless effort, Mr.

Faraday and I used an electroscope to successfully detect a potential difference inside a Davy lamp burning in a methane environment.”