Archimedes

Archimedes

I . Introduction

Archimedes is a Greek mathematician and physicist . He was the greatest mathematician of an ancient times and ranks as one of the great scientist of all times . His most brilliant mathematical discoveries included establishing the value of pi (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter ) and devising a system of calculation that was a forerunner of integral calculus

Because he was intensely interested in the application of theories Archimedes is considered the father of experimental science . His law of floating bodies , known as

Archimedes ' Principle , is one of the basic laws of physics . His understanding of mechanical devices such as the lever , pulley , and screw laid the foundation for the science of mechanics . Archimedes also made important discoveries in astronomy and constructed a bronze planetarium in which the earth and heavenly bodies all moved in their orbits when a crank was turned (Bartholomees , 2005

When the Romans attacked Syracuse during the Second Punic War , their commander ed that Archimedes not to be harmed . A soldier found the old man tracing geometric figures in the sand , but did not recognize him . When Archimedes refused to move along until he had finished working his problem , the soldier killed him

This studies the life of great scientist Archimedes and a brief of his discovery and its importance

II . Discussion

A . Archimedes ' Principle

Archimedes ' Principle states that a body wholly or partially immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces , and that a floating body sinks until it has displaced a volume of water equal to its own weight . This principle is of great importance in shipbuilding . It also provides a way of finding the specific gravity of a substance , useful in mining , metallurgy , and chemistry

According to tradition , Archimedes made the discovery that led to this law while he was at the public baths . He had been asked by King Hiero II of Syracuse to find out whether a new crown was pure gold or whether the goldsmith had used part silver and kept some of the more precious metal for himself . Noticing that water overflowed when he stepped into his bath , Archimedes concluded that a body immersed in water must displace a volume of water that is equal to the volume of the body (Archimedes Principle , 2004 . He was so excited over his idea that he rushed into the street crying Eureka (I have found it

Gold is denser than silver in equal weights , gold has less bulk Archimedes determined that the crown , although its weight matched the amount of gold furnished , was bulkier than pure gold in that amount would be . The goldsmith had indeed some of the king 's gold and was punished

B . Other Achievements

In addition to his studies of the circle , Archimedes pioneered in work on spheres and spheroids , cylinders , cones , and other geometric figures He devised formulas for measuring areas and volumes , and invented a system...