Chapter 594
“So, you have concluded that this so-called [phlogiston] is the key factor that causes changes in the properties of steel?”
Paul is sitting in his office , listening to the reports of the chemical researchers. Not far in front of him was an easel-like stand on which were placed handmade PPTs made of cardboard. Each cardboard introduced the researchers' experimental process and data with pictures and texts. After you finish talking about one piece, take off the cardboard above and look at the next piece.
“Yes, Lord Graiman, phlogiston is exactly the key substance we are looking for. In order to prove its accuracy, we set all possible factors in steel smelting to a single variable and conducted controlled experiments one by one. , the results of the experiment should be reliable."
Wells was talking to Paul, while Tennyson Fadeev behind him was observing the lord Paul Gray with some anxiety. Man's facial expression, he keenly sensed Paul's slight flash of disappointment?
Disappointed, why did the lord show such an expression?
Paul pointed at the cardboard they used for introduction, "But I think this so-called [phlogiston] is somewhat unreliable."
"Hoho! Mr. Grayman, Maybe I should give you a detailed introduction to phlogiston alone." Wells cleared his throat and began to introduce phlogiston to Paul.
“We believe that flame is an entity, and the basic particle that makes up flame is phlogiston. But in fact, phlogiston is filled between heaven and earth, including the air around us. Plants can absorb phlogiston from the air. Animals absorb phlogiston from plants, so animals and plants contain a large amount of phlogiston. All chemical changes related to combustion are due to the process of objects absorbing phlogiston and releasing phlogiston. For example, when wood burns, there is phlogiston. Escape, and then a pile of ashes is left. Charcoal, soot, and grease all come from plants, and plants absorb phlogiston in the air, so they are all phlogiston-rich substances."
In After introducing phlogiston, Wells extended his explanation, "In this study, we conducted a calcination experiment on metal, and then generated metal calcination ash. We believe that metal contains more complex components than metal ash. , this is phlogiston. If the metal ash recombines with the phlogiston, it will become metal again. If the charcoal is burned with the metal ash, the metal ash can absorb the phlogiston of the charcoal, and the metal ash will become metal again. The process and principle of metal smelting. By controlling the content of phlogiston in the metal - using materials with a large amount of phlogiston such as charcoal and ink sticks - the properties of the metal can be controlled."
Paul turned to look at Ladi Setia beside him, "You are also a scholar, what do you think?"
Ladi nodded and said, "I think Master Wells's inference is correct. . ”
“Well, let me ask a little question. I believe that there is indeed a kind of [phlogiston] in metals to control its properties, but this [phlogiston] is not the phlogiston you call. In other words, your so-called description of phlogiston is wrong."
A smile appeared on Paul's lips, which made Wells feel bad, "You said it was wrong?"
< br>I only heard the lord's instructions: "Now find me a piece of metal to weigh, then calcine it, and then weigh it after generating metal ash. According to your inference, metal ash is formed by removing metal and removing phlogiston. Yes, then the weight should become lighter rather than heavier, right?”
Wells nodded and said, "That's right, Lord Grayman."
Paul winked at him, "Let's wait and see."
His order was very The experiment was about to be executed, and the experiment started in Paul's office. However, the results surprised all the researchers. Instead of becoming lighter, the iron block that produced part of the metallic gray became heavier.
Paul clapped his hands and said with a smile: "A very intuitive phenomenon. It seems that your inference about phlogiston is wrong. Although it cannot overturn the inference that [phlogiston controls the properties of steel], at least It shows that at least after burning, there is something more in the metal, rather than something missing. And based on the subsequent error, I have reason to doubt the correctness of the previous inference."
Will. Si, Tennyson and other researchers looked ashen.
——
After continuing the discussion for two hours, the alchemists walked out of Paul's office somewhat dejectedly. Ladi Setia, who was left behind, said to Paul, "Master Graiman, I have some suggestions." Paul raised his eyebrows, "Oh? Let's hear it."
< br>La Di said: "Listening to their remarks just now, Master Wells and others seem to be suffering from the inability to achieve certain goals with current technical means. For example, if alchemists want to separate elements from certain compounds, it seems that the current means There is only one - burning. According to them, if a certain element cannot be separated, it means that the temperature has not reached it. They originally wanted to separate phlogiston directly from other substances, that is, to obtain the element of phlogiston. Then they conducted careful research on combining elemental phlogiston with metals, but failed - in their opinion, this was a failure caused by insufficient temperature. However, if burned with fire, the phlogiston would escape into the air - of course. According to your experiment just now, this may be wrong."
Ladi still follows the old tradition and turns chemists into alchemists.
Paul raised his head: "Then what?"
Lady said softly: "We are not going to discuss the rights and wrongs between you and Wells now. What I want to say is that I can use certain means to Let the temperature rise without the flame, maybe I can help them."
Paul asked: "Use your... special ability?"
La Di nodded: "Yes." Of course La Di's special ability is magic.
Paul waved his hand to her without any hesitation, "Oh, I appreciate your suggestion, but... no."
"Why not?" La Di was very confused. There was even a hint of embarrassment in her doubts, and her brows were slightly wrinkled.
"Lord Grayman, do you also have the same prejudices against magic as ordinary people do?"
Paul shook his head, "I don't have the slightest prejudice against magic. I don't think so. You and I have gotten along in the past few years and you have understood that I don’t think magic has anything to do with justice or evil. It is just a tool.”
Ladi continued to ask: “Then you are afraid of leaking it and causing trouble. The church’s accusation against you?”
“Aha!” Paul smiled, “I might have been afraid four years ago, but not now. I have a hundred reasons to frustrate their investigation. .”
Ladi asked very puzzledly: "Then what is the reason why you prevent me from using magic to participate in the research of the alchemists? You just said that magic is just a tool. Since it is a tool, And it’s a tool that happens to be useful, so it should be put to its fullest use.”
(End of this chapter)