Introduction
American physicist Albert Einstein kept three portraits on his wall, men who had inspired his own world-changing study of physics. They were all British: Sir Isaac Newton, James Clerk Maxwell, and Michael Faraday (1791-1867).
YOUNG Michael Faraday worked in a bookshop, so he had plenty to read. He did not spurn his good fortune, and was especially fascinated by science and electricity.
One customer, the eminent pianist William Dance, spotted Michael’s enthusiasm and sent him tickets to Sir Humphrey Davy’s lectures on popular science. Michael introduced himself to Davy, who took the twenty-one-year-old on as his assistant in 1813, and afterwards liked to call Michael his greatest scientific discovery.
A world without Faraday is hard to imagine. In 1831, he discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind the motor in devices from washing machines to trains. In 1833, he demonstrated electrolysis, the same process which today harnesses electricity to extract metals and gases for use in construction, plastics, healthcare, sanitation and space exploration.
In 1839, the stresses of overwork forced Faraday to spend six years in frustrating semi-retirement. When at last he returned to active research, it was to lay the foundations of modern physics.
Précis
Despite having little more scientific training than he could read for himself in the bookshop where he worked, Michael Faraday was taken on as an assistant by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1813. He justified the trust placed in him by making a series of historic discoveries, including electromagnetism and electrolysis, until unexpectedly interrupted by ill health in 1839. (58 / 60 words)
Despite having little more scientific training than he could read for himself in the bookshop where he worked, Michael Faraday was taken on as an assistant by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1813. He justified the trust placed in him by making a series of historic discoveries, including electromagnetism and electrolysis, until unexpectedly interrupted by ill health in 1839.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, despite, if, ought, since, unless, whether, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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