A great invention of a Russian scientist

 

Radio occupies one of the leading places among the greatest achievements of modern engineering. It was invented by Professor A.S. Popov, the talented Russian scientist, who demonstrated the first radio-receiving set in the world on May 7, 1895. And it is on this day that we mark the anniversary of the birth of the radio.

By his invention Popov made a priceless contribution to the development of world science.

Nearly at the same time an Italian inventor G. Marconi, who moved to Great Britain in 1896, got an English patent on using electromagnetic waves for communication without wires. As A.S. Popov had not yet patented his invention by that time, the world considered Marconi to be the inventor of radio. But in our country it is A.S. Popov who we by right call an inventor of radio.

A.S. Popov was born in the Urals on March 16, 1859. For some years he had been studying at the seminary in Perm and then went to the University of St. Petersburg. In his student days he worked as a mechanic at one of the first electric power-plants in St. Petersburg which was producing electric lights for Nevsky prospect.

After graduating from the University in 1882, A.S. Popov remained there as a post-graduate at the Physics Department. A year later he became a lecturer in Physics and Electrical Engineering in Kronstadt. By this time he had already won recognition among specialists as an authority in this field.

After Hertz had published his experiments proving the existence of electromagnetic waves, A.S. Popov thought of a possibility of using Hertz waves for transmitting signals over a distance. Thus the first wireless (radio) receiving set was created. Then Popov developed his device and on March 24, 1896 he demonstrated the transmission and reception of a radiogram consisting of two words: Heinrich Hertz. On that day the radio-telegraphy was converted from an abstract theoretical problem into a real fact. A.S. Popov did not live to see the great progress of his invention.

Popov's invention laid the foundation for further inventions and improvements in the field of radio engineering. Since that time scientists all over the world have been developing the modern systems of radio-telegraphy, broadcasting, television, radiolocation, radio navigation and other branches of radio electronics.

2 Переведите на русский язык следующие английские словосочетания:

1) theory of global warming; 6) water vapour;

2) totally changed; 7) sea level;

3) greenhouse effect; 8) melting of glaciers;

4) Earth's surface; 9) global emission;

5) visible light; 10) modern engineering.

 

3 Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующих словосочетаний:

1) приемное устройство; 6) выпускник факультета физики;

2) драматические последствия; 7) мир считает;

3) таяние льда; 8) талантливый русский ученый;

4) подъем уровня моря; 9) бесценный вклад;

5) создали условия; 10) одно из лидирующих мест.

4 Найдите в тексте слова, имеющие общий корень с данными словами. Определите, к какой части речи они относятся, и переведите их на русский язык:

Green, warm, environment, protect, agree, though, level, achieve, graduate, possible, lecture, wire, radio.

 

5 Задайте к, выделенному в тексте, предложению все типы вопросов: общий, альтернативный, разделительный, два специальных: а) к подлежащему, б) к любому члену предложения.

6 Выполните анализ данных предложений, обратив внимание на следующие грамматические явления: числительные; времена группы Continuous (Present, Past, Future Active & Passive); усилительная конструкция; времена группы Perfect (Present, Past, Future Active & Passive); функции глаголов to be, to have; согласование времен; неопределенные местоимения some, any, no и их производные:

1) We have created conditions that accelerate the process.

2) Since that time scientists all over the world have been developing the modern systems of radio-telegraphy, broadcasting, television, radiolocation, radio navigation and other branches of radio electronics.

3) Although emissions have grown much during the past 40 years, they began levelling off in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

4) It is on this day that we mark the anniversary of the birth of the radio.

5) As A.S. Popov had not yet patented his invention by that time, the world considered Marconi to be the inventor of radio.

6) Aside from water vapour, the main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide.

 

7 Ответьте на вопросы по тексту:

1) What do some gases in the atmosphere block?

2) How would most of the oceans and life look like?

3) What are the main greenhouse gases?

4) When and where did nations take part in the conference?

5) What place does radio occupy among the greatest achievements of modern engineering?

6) When do we mark the anniversary of the birth of the radio?

7) Who got an English patent on using electromagnetic waves for communication without wires and when was it?