N.D. Zelinsky

Read about an outstanding Russian chemist and say why he is well-known all over the world.

Part II

M. V. Lomonosov

The methods which Lomonosov used for preparing and studying; coloured glasses were also' applied in his experiments on the prep i ration of optical glass. In 1762 – 1763 he investigated the refracti. (преломление) of various optical glasses, glass containing lead (свинец) oxide gave much more refraction than other sorts. He also made systematic studies of a large number of metallic alloys to find a suitable (подходящий) one for use as a telescope mirror зеркало). Не tested various alloys of copper, tin, zing, bismuth, and antimony (сурьма), and finally concluded that the alloy which gave best reflecting properties when polished (отполирована) consisted of two parts of copper, one part of tin, and one part of zinc. Lomonosov always thought of practical needs, the best compositions and conditions for his needs having been worked out by careful and systematic experiments.

In 1752 he realized that the facilities (возможности) of the chemical laboratory were inadequate, and Lomonosov asked the authorities for money to construct a factory to manufacture his coloured glasses. Soon the factory was built not far from St. Petersburg. The work of the factory was divided into two parts. One manufactured the mixtures for the mosaic glasses, the other part of the factory manufacturing glass objects.

The design (рисунок, узор) of the mosaic was done by Lomonosov himself. He had seen the Italian mosaics and in his student days he had spent a few months in Kiev where he saw the beautiful examples of mosaics which existed in Russia at the time. It was under the inspiration (влиянием) of these examples that he began his own work. In the laboratory in his house he had a furnace (печь) in which the glass was remelted and cast (отливалось) into small cylinders which were assembled into the mosaic in a large copper pan (сковороде). Lomonosov completed only one picture, the Battle of Poltava, which showed the victory of Peter the Great over Charles XII of Sweden in 1709.

During his life Lomonosov's mosaics were greatly admired (восхищаться). In 1763 he was elected an honorary member of the Academy of Art.

10. Agree or disagree.

1. Lomonosov couldn't find an alloy with the smoothest surface.

2. Glass containing lead oxide is different from other sorts of glass.

3. The factory, Lomonosov constructed for producing coloured glasses, was built of bricks.

4. Lomonosov was the first in Russia to design the mosaic.

5. He completed several mosaic pictures.

N.D. Zelinsky was born on February 6, 1861 in Tiraspol. After his having graduated from the University in Odessa in 1884 he stayed on at the University and in 1885 he was, according to the custom, sent abroad to have practice in research work. On his having returned, he was known to give lectures in general chemistry at the same University.

In 1893 on his coming to Moscow, D. Mendeleyev found out about his arrival and the scientists met. Zelinsky did not expect D. Mendeleev to help him but to his surprise D.Mendeleev insisted on his being appointed a professor at Moscow University in the chair of analytical and organic chemistry as D. Mendeleev relied on him to do the work well. That year marked the beginning of Zelinsky's various activities at Moscow University, where he worked to the very last days of his life.

For all his work at the University Zelinsky found time for social, administrative and pedagogical activities outside the University. In 1911 the scientific world was surprised at his having resigned and moved to Petersburg. But the scientist was to do this as it was difficult for a progressive scientist to bear a police regime set up at the University. He was appointed the director of a small laboratory where he continued the investigations he had begun in Moscow.

One of the works carried out at that period brought him nationwide recognition. Zelinsky was the first to prepare the activated charcoal and invent the Zelinsky universal charcoal gasmask. He was said to save many thousands of lives.

During that period of his work at Moskow University the first thing for him to do was to keep the door of his laboratories open for the gifted youth. In 1934 after Zelinsky’s having taken an active part in the organization of the Institute of Organic Chemistry he was appointed the head of the Institute, however, he continued to work at the University.

Several principal paths in organic chemistry having been founded and brilliantly developed, Zelinsky built a large school of his own and educated a real army of chemists. For his outstanding activities Zelinsky was awarded the highest orders. Zelinsky died on July 31, 1953 at the age of 92. In his book written shortly before his death he said: “I have lived, worked and created for my people”.

Notes to the text:

charcoal – древесный уголь

path – линия поведение или действия

gasmask – противогаз

set up – учреждать

stay on – продолжать, оставаться

Дата добавления: 2014-10-31