baibakova_i_gasko_o_fedorishin_m_red_getting_on_in_english_i

Task 2.29. Discuss the following questions:

1.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students should attend lectures, but their work at special laboratories is not that important. Why?

2.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students should carry out experiments by themselves. They do not need any guidance. Why?

3.It has recently been announced that a new research laboratory may be built in your neighbourhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why?

4.Do you approve of carrying out medical experiments on animals? Why?

5.What is your attitude to conducting military experiments in the Earth’s atmosphere or in space?

Task 2.30. Match the English word combinations with their Ukrainian equivalents:

Task 2.31. Read the text, divide it into sections, discuss each section in small groups and present the results in the form of an interview:

WORK IN LABORATORIES

There is an old proverb “Practice makes perfect” which means that an experienced specialist is able to cope with any task.^To train such highly-qualified, skilled and creatively thinking specialists is the main purpose of our university. That is why the profound study of theory should be accompanied by practical training. There exist many ways of gaining practical skills in your field of specialization, while you are still studying for a degree. In most cases, practical training begins with the work in laboratories of the university and is completed at industrial enterprises of Lviv and Lviv

region. Besides, you may participate in the work of students’ construction bureaux or take some relevant job during your summer vacations. But even if you don’t feel like working in summer, you are sure to acquire the necessary practical experience in specialized laboratories during the academic year.

There is a number of general laboratories in our university intended for practical work of students of all specialities, for example, the laboratories of physics and chemistry. In physics laboratories students investigate certain physical phenomena; carry out exercises in mechanics, optics, and molecular physics; measure electrical (voltage, frequency, resistance) and non-electrical (temperature, pressure, dimensions) quantities. One should be especially careful while working in chemical laboratories, because some substances are harmful or explosive.

Besides, each department of the university is provided with its own laboratory facilities, so that students could acquire skills according to the speciality chosen. Some laboratories are equipped with various apparatuses and measuring devices, while in others, computers of different generations are installed. The work in the laboratories enables students to (1) assess the practical value of their knowledge, (2) master the basic experimental techniques necessary for their further research activity, (3) learn how to handle modem equipment, (4) independently find solution to problems that arise in the process of work, and (5) analyse the results obtained. The laboratory experiments are carried out under the guidance of qualified teachers and in the presence of laboratory assistants. Before performing a laboratory work, students get acquainted with the instruction which contains the description of installations to be used and presents the order in which the lab exercise should be done and other useful information. After completing the work, students write down and analyse the results.

All the Departments of the university have laboratories equipped with computers, including Pentium computers with huge memory capacity and high processing speed. Before operating the computers, students listen to a course of lectures on means of data transfer, study fundamentals of computing techniques and programming. In these labo­ ratories students are engaged in different kinds of activity. They learn how to handle computer hardware (keyboard, mouse and other input/output devices) and get acquain­ ted with computer software. The lab exercises are given to students either as printed worksheets or in the form of files recorded on floppy disks. The answers are pre­ programmed, and the .students’ performance is evaluated automatically by computers. Besides, students may use the laboratory computers while working on their course and diploma projects: they do calculations, simulate processes and design new devices or constructions with the help of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) programs. If students need some additional information on the latest achievements in their field of study, they may use compact disks with Read-Only-Memory (CD ROM) or they may look for it in the Internet. The installed software is easy to use, and system prompts on the screen will help students to find the site in the Internet they are interested in.

So, English philosopher Francis Bacon was absolutely right, when he uttered his famous statement “Knowledge is power”. But you will never benefit from this power, unless you apply your theoretical knowledge to practice.

Task 2.32. Read the text and answer the questions below it:

LABORATORY OF PRECISION DEVICES AND MEASURING

INSTRUMENTS

Fine mechanisms and precision instruments have been known to people for ages, In the preceding centuries most of them were designed and produced by craftsmen. Although watches have been manufactured industrially since the middle of the nineteenth century, it was only in the 20th century that the industrial production of different fine mechanisms and precision instruments was started. Their production on a commercial scale gave rise to the scientific approach to their design and the need for highly qualified specialists in this branch of industry. Engineers and designers of precision mechanics are trained at our University. In the course of their training students study such special subjects as: instruments of precision mechanics, machine parts, strength of materials, electrical measurement of mechanical quantities etc. The syllabus is designed to provide the highest quality, up-to-date training and experience possible. The students of the senior courses benefit from the work at the Laboratory of Precision Devices and Measuring Instruments. Current research is centred on:

1.error control at precision weighing;

2.grading of thermocouple;

3.fatigue testing of spring material,

4.speed testing of air flow;

5.analysis of taxi en route performance by taximeter readings;

6.measuring of resistance using analogue and digital instruments;

7.studying of effects which can be utilized to provide reliable electrical measuring instruments;

8.drawing a circuit diagram for electrical energy measuring instruments;

9.taking up characteristics of internal combustion engine performance.

The laboratory has a wide range of devices necessary for research on designing and improving measuring instruments, as well as other items of test equipment.

Students study two types of instruments: analogue and digital. An analogue instrument, while measuring different quantities, indicates their value by the movement of a pointer across the face of a scale. A digital instrument gives a display on a screen in a set of numbers. Both types are portable, accurate and widely used, but digital instruments need a power supply, while analogue ones usually do not. Thechoice of the instrument depends on the value to be measured. Students use different types of instruments while carrying out the research.

In lab exercises dealing with determination of error at weighing, students use analytical balance of VA-200 type. It is an equal-arm balance for weighing quantifies below 200g. Systematic and accidental errors are unavoidable at weighing as they happen due to structural peculiarities of the balance. Accidental errors depend on many causes such as: temperature, vibrations, early or late readouts etc. The aim of the work carried out by the students is to eliminate all possible errors.

While grading thermocouples, students compare the reading of the thermocouple tested with the reading of a mercurial thermometer.

The study of measuring devices is connected with research in automotive design and manufacture. Students work with taximeters used for automatic readQut of the sum to be paid by a passenger, tachometers used for measuring rotation speed, accelerome­ ters, pressure transducers etc.

They also study measuring instruments designed for:

1)length measurement (dial gauges and micro-indicators);

2)time and velocity measurement (various types of clocks and watches, speedometers, revolution counters);

3)optical surveying and laboratory measurement (theodolites, polarimeters);

4)flow measurement (aircraft speedometers, tachometers etc.);

5)pressure measurement;

6)temperature measurement;

7)volume measurement (gas meters, water meters, petrol flow meters etc.).

Extensive research and development work has also been conducted in the technology of treatment of many special materials required for the development and manufacture of instruments for scientific and industrial use.

Work in the laboratory helps students to perfect their knowledge in special subjects, gives them an excellent start to their research and prepares them for future careers.

Questions:

1.Since when have watches been manufactured industrially?

2.What gave rise to the need for scientific approach to the design of precision instruments?

3.What special subjects do the students of precision mechanics study?

4.What do students of senior courses do at the laboratory of precision devices and measuring instruments?

5.How does an analogue instrument indicate values?

6.What does the choice of an instrument depend on?

7.What device is used to determine errors at weighing?.

8.How is grading of thermocouple done?

9.What measuring instruments do students become acquainted with at the laboratory?

Task 2.33, Quiz. Choose the answers that suit you, calculate your score total and read the comments:

1.What do you usually do before carrying out laboratory exercises?

a)You look through the notes taken by you at lectures and read the instruction carefully.

b)You contemplate how to occupy the seat in the lab near the best student of your group. He is sure to help those who are in trouble.

c)You listen to your favourite songs on the player or talk with your friends about the last or next disco-party.

2.What do you do in the laboratory of physics?

a)You carry out experiments according to instructions: measure different values, investigate physical phenomena, learn how to handle various devices. And you never forget to observe safety rules.

b)Doing lab exercises is boring. You are not going to work in a lab after graduating from the university. So why should you acquire such skills?

c)You’ve heard something of AC/DC. And for an hour or so, you may be quite interested in what will happen if you connect these two wires to metal parts of the lab furniture and switch on the power or if you hit this lens with a heavy object or if you unscrew some bolts in this installation while it is still plugged in.

3.What do you do in a chemistry laboratory?

a)Strictly observing safety rules, you carry out experiments according to instructions and write down everything you observe during your work. If some problem arises, you ask the laboratory assistant for help.

b)You eat a sandwich or an apple and watch your friend carrying out an experiment. Thank God, he is good at chemistry.

c)You mix all available liquids in a flask and heat the mixture over the flame of a Bunsen burner. Before leaving the lab, you put some powder into your pocket, because when lit with a match-stick it bursts into bright sparkles. It is sure to be a great success at the next disco-party.

4.What do you do in a computer laboratory?

a)You like operating a computer, and do your best to perfect your computer skills.

b)You sit at a safe distance from the computer somewhere behind your fellowstudents and don’t understand what is going on on the screen. But it doesn’t matter much to you. Let others ruin their eyesight and get exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

c)Even if you are not allowed to play computer games (your favourite pastime) copied on your floppy disc (infested with viruses), you will have enough time to delete data or type something funny in most of the files in the lab computer.

5.What do you do after completing a laboratory exercise?

a)You do calculations, analyse the results and write a report.

b)You copy your friend’s report.

c)What?! Should you work again? It’s high time to relax after the hard day.

Give 3 points for every “a”, 2 points for every <cb”, and 1 point for every “c’\ If the sum total is from 15 to 12: If your answers correspond to reality, we believe that you will become a highly-qualified and experienced specialist. f

from 11 to 8: In English, your characteristics sound a little bit like a disease: “lazy­ bones”. May be it is a disease which should be cured somehow. If all people were exactly like you, mankind would stay in the Stone Age, and there wouldn’t be anybody around to invent even a wheel.

from 7 to 5: If you are still alive, tell us please about the condition the lab facilities of your higher school are in, after the prolonged exposure to your destructive activities.

Key to tasks 2.2 and 2.3:

THE LABORATORIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

The laboratories of the Department of Physics are among the first laboratories the students get acquainted with during their studies. They are situated in the main building of the University. There are three of them: Laboratory of Molecular Physics, Electrical Laboratory and Optical Laboratory.

In the Laboratory of Molecular Physics students carry out a number of laboratory exercises in mechanics and molecular physics. These exercises illustrate the laws of motion of material objects, principles of mechanical interactions between objects, the laws of vibratory motion. Properties of gases, vapours, liquids and thermal properties of solids are also studied in this laboratory.

In another laboratory, the electrical one, students study practically the properties of conductors, semiconductors and insulators, the basic laws of electrostatics, the laws describing current flow in separate conductors and in electric circuits, electromagnetic phenomena and the laws of electrolysis.

In Optical Laboratory, students cany out experiments which help them to practically study the laws of geometrical optics and different phenomena connected with the wave nature of light and quantum nature of light (e. g., interference, diffraction, photo-effect). Here they also do some assignments on the investigation of the structure of atom.

Using their knowledge of general laws of physics, students determine moduli of elasticity of different substances, thermal conductivity coefficients, electric field strength, specific resistance, dielectric and magnetic constants of different substances, light wave length etc. Students use modern standard instrumentation. They are: analy­ tical balances, manometers, electromagnetic oscillators, ac (alternating current) and dc (direct current) generators, modem precise digital instruments, interferometers, lasers etc.

A thorough fulfilment of laboratory tasks in the Laboratories of the Department of Physics lays the foundation for further successful work when students begin to work in their special laboratories.

Task 3.1. Talk with your fellow-students about:

1.Famous Ukrainian writers, artists, composers and scientists.

2.Ukrainian scientists who left their native land. 4

3.Scientists who worked at our university.

4.The prospects of the development of Ukrainian science.

5.The achievements in the field of science you study.

6.Famous British or American scientists.

Task 3.2. Discuss the following questions:

1.Imagine that you are a gifted young scientist. What problem would you like to investigate?

2.If you were an inventor, what would your efforts be aimed at? What kind of invention would you like to make?

3.What are the most essential qualities of a good scientist?

4.What do you consider to be the most important science? Why?

5.It is common knowledge that society benefits from the activity of its members. Compare the contribution of artists to the society with that of scientists. Whose contribution do you think is more valuable (is more appreciated by our society)?

Task 3.3. You are going to hear five pieces of information each accompanied by a small assignment. Listen to the information and do the assignments.

Task 3.3.1. Decide whether the statement is true or false:

(a)Heorhiy Vorony was a mathematician.

(b)All his papers were of great significance.

(c)Heorhiy Vorony was bom in Poltava region.

(d)After finishing gymnasium he entered Warsaw University.

Task 3.3.2. Fill in the gaps:

(a)The name of Myron Zarytsky, . . gifted and inspired pedagogue is very little known in Ukraine.

(b)Myron Zarytsky entered ... and continued his studies at Lviv University. *

(c)In Lviv he gained his ... and wrote about 20 scientific works.

(d)His activity at Lviv University, ... was intense and interesting.

Task 3.3.3. Correct tfye following false statements:

(a)Mykhailo Kravchuk’s research works promoted the development of the first nuclear bomb.

(b)He died at the age of 80.

(c)The name of Mykhailo Kravchuk was well known in Ukraine.

(d)M.Kravchuk became an associate professor at the age of 33.

Task 3.3.4. Complete the following sentences:

(a)The founder of mathematical culture in Ukraine, Volodymyr Levytsky was the first to write his scientific papers ....

(b)V. Levytsky collected and compiled Ukrainian terminology dictionary in mathematics and physics, which ....

(c)His articles were written in many languages: Ukrainian, ....

Task 3.3,5. Answer the following questions:

(a)Where and when was M.Ostrohradsky born?

(b)Who insisted on M.Ostrohradsky’s entering Kharkiv University?

(c)What did Mykhailo do in Paris?

(d)How many works devoted to different branches of mathematics did he write?

Task 3.4. Memorize the essential vocabulary and translate the sentences containing it:

1.appreciate - високо цінувати -to be grateful for; judge righdy the value of; understand and enjoy, e.g. You can’t properly appreciate the contribution of Ukrainian scientists into the world science, unless you study their scientific heritage. appreciation - висока оцінка, розуміння - proper understanding and recognition, e.g. Scientific heritage of our prominent countrymen deserves appreciation.

2.award - нагороджувати - to give as a prize, reward or judgement, e.g. Hryhoriy Sharpak was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1992 for the design of a nuclear particle detector.

3.benefit - отримувати користь - to do good to; to receive help or profit, e.g. World science has benefited greatly from the contribution made by Ukrainian scholars, researchers and inventors.

benefit - користь, вигода, прибуток - help, profit, e.g. Other countries have derived benefitfrom the inventions and discoveries made by Ukrainians.

4.claim one’s right to - заявити про свої права на щось - demand recognition that one has a right to, e.g. Ivan Puluy couldn’t claim his right to the discovery of invisible X-rays as he had not published the results of his investigation.

5. consider - вважати, розглядати - think about; be of the opinion, regard as, e.g. Yuriy Kotermak (Drohobych) is considered to be one of the first Ukrainians to have paved the way into the world science.

6.countryman - земляк - compatriot, e.g. We are proud of ourprominent countrymen.

7.contribute - робити внесок - join with others in giving ideas, help, money etc., e.g. Ukrainian scientists have contributed invaluable ideas to nearly all fields of science and engineering.

contribution - внесок - act of contributing, e.g. Tsiolkovsky made a great contribution to the development of space engineering.

8.decide - вирішити - come to a conclusion; make up one’s mind, e.g. After getting acquainted with Tsiolkovsky’s works, Serhiy Koroliov decided to devote his life to space engineering.

decisiveness - рішучість - the quality of being decisive, i.e. showing decision; definite, e.g. Decisiveness is the mainfeature of his character.

indecision - нерішучість - the state or quality of being indecisive, i.e. not decisive, indefinite, e.g. Because of Puluy's indecision the results of his X-rays investigation were not published in their proper time.

9.develop - розвивати, -ся // розробляти - a) grow or make larger or more mature; b) work out, elaborate, e.g. In spite of numerous obstacles Ukrainian scientific societies were constantly developing their activity. Koroliov developed a number of rockets and rocket-carriers.

development - розвиток, розробка, e.g. The economic and cultural development of provinces of the empire was neglected. They got acquainted with the latest

developments in thefield of molecular physics.

10. devote - присвячувати - dedicate; to give (one’s time, energy, etc.) to, e.g. Many scientists devoted their lives to some investigations which led them to great discoveries.

to be devoted - бути відданим, бути присвяченим - be very loving or loyal, e.g. Though many Ukrainian scientists had to leave their Motherland, they were always devoted to it.

11.discover - відкривати - to find out; to find by exploration; to make a discovery, e.g. Ivan Puluy was the first to discover X-rays which are known as Roentgen’s nowadays.

discovery - відкриття - discovering; the thing discovered, e.g. The discoveries made by Oleksandr Zasiadko, Mykola Kybalchych, Kostiantyn Tsiolkovsky are known to have paved the way into outer space.

e.g. Creative activity of Ukrainian talented people was not encouraged by foreign rulers.

13.enrich - збагачувати to make rich; improve in quality, e.g. Our prominent countrymen have enriched the world science with their brilliant ideas, inventions and knowledge.

14.fruitful - плідний - producing good results, e.g. The end of the 19-th century was especiallyfruitfulfor the development of Ukrainian science.

15.grant a patent - видати патент - to allow to have, give a patent, e.g. Oleksandr Smakula was granted many patents in thefield of optics and laser technology.

16.hold a post - займати посаду - occupy, have the position of, e.g. Ivan Puluy held the post of Rector at Prague Higher Technical School.

17.hush up - замовчувати - prevent from becoming public knowledge, e.g. Many distinguished people of Ukrainian origin remain unknown up to this day, as their names were deliberately hushed up during the years of the Soviet regime.

18.investigate - досліджувати - make a careful study of, try to get more information by study or research, e.g. In this laboratory they investigate properties of gases. investigation - дослідження - careful study, research, e.g. Who will carry out the investigation of this phenomenon?

19.invisible - невидимий - that cannot be seen, e.g. Puluy began his investigation of the invisible rays in 1877.

20.legacy - спадщина - something handed down from ancestors or predecessors, e.g. Scientific legacy of our countrymen is really remarkable.

21.outstanding/prominent - видатний - attracting attention, distinguished or important, e.g. Many physicists investigated semiconductors, but one of the most outstanding of them was Abraham Yoffe bom in the town of Romny in Ukraine.

22.particular - особливий - special, e.g. The Shevchenko Scientific Society has always played a particular role in theformation ofyoung scholars' outlook.

23.pay tribute - віддавати належне - show one’s respect or admiration, e.g. We should pay tribute to the genius of Yuriy Kondratiuk who presented his theory of interplanetary spaceflights in 1929.

24.promote - сприяти - help the progress of something or somebody, e.g. The political rulers of the country didn’t promote scientific research at the provincial educational establishments.

25.prosper - процвітати - do well, be successful, flourish, e.g. A lot of scholars moved to the capital of the empire where science was prospering.

prosperity - процвітання - the state of being successful, e.g. Industrial revolution has brought prosperity to the country.

prosperous - що процвітає, заможний - successful, rich, flourishing, e.g. The central regions of the empire were much more prosperous than the province.

26.recognize - визнавати - acknowledge, to accept smth/smb officially, e.g. The scientific achievements of those scholars who refused to support the Stalinist regime, were not officially recognized.