HISTORY AND METODOLOGY OF VACUUM PHYSICS
PART III. VACUUM PHYSICS FROM DISCOVERY OF
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE UNTIL PRESENT DAY
In the third part of the paper it is described the history and methodology
of physics since the discovery of atmospheric pressure vacuum. The decisive
contributions of vacuum physics to collapse system concepts inherited from the
ancient Greeks and canonized by the medieval Christians and Muslims
theologians is shown. At the same time, the paper describes first physical,
chemical and biological experiments performed in vacuum space and shows
the difficulties in explaining the nature of emptiness.
Particular attention is given to the concept of ether in the history of
science and philosophy and concept of vacuum in the science and modern
technique. It is shown the distinct difference between the notion of technical
vacuum (classical) and the physical vacuum. Finally, the evolution of the
concept of vacuum in the materialist philosophy, science and technology is
summarized.
Keywords: atom, molecule, void, vacuum, ether, technical vacuum,
physical vacuum, the mean free path length, Knudsen number, flow
Cuvinte cheie: atom, moleculă, spaţiu gol, vid, eter, vid tehnic, vid fizic,
lungimea drumului liber mediu, număr Knudsen, curgere
