Assignment 03

According to the author of the obituary, what aspects of Faraday’s life and work contributed to his reputation? How does the picture presented in the obituary compare to the picture presented in Book 1, Chapter 4?

It is the impression I get from reading Faraday’s obituary (written in a non-scientific publication) that, through a combination of scientific discovery, personal modesty and a rare talent as a compelling lecturer, he managed to cross over from receiving recognition in purely scientific circles to becoming a figure recognizable in the mainstream of the public conciseness.

The breadth of Faraday’s scientific discoveries alone were perhaps enough to seal his place as one of the great men of his time but I believe in particular, it is in his lecturing and the exhibitions of his discoveries where he managed to make a lasting impact, not just on his contemporaries in the scientific world, but on the younger generation who flocked to see his exhibitions on Albemarle-street, “with as much zest as is usually displayed in following lighter amusements”, where we really see the unique and special gift of Faraday.

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Taking a look at the Faraday Cage (figure 4.10, P102, AA100 Book 1, 2008 OU), which looks as if it could be the setting for some extravagant magic trick, it is easy to imagine that a young person of the time, with no particular knowledge or interest in science, could find himself visiting Faraday’s exhibitions as much for the spectacle as anything else whilst learning a thing or two at the same time.

It is an art which teachers of today still contend with, that of striking a balance between capturing your audience’s attention and imagination, whilst at the same ...

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