Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 327

Contents of Physics - 1: Heat and Light : 305
scholars from the early Christian era upto Newtonian age. It is only in late nineteenth and early twentieth century that heat has been assigned a dual nature with proper verification of its properties. Thus, the Jaina view is more similar to Newtonic age.
Now, not only the nature of heat is much more clear, but it can also be quantitatively measured. The gross idea about the quantity of heat can be obtained by thermometers and its accurate measurement is done by calorimetric methods. The canons have no mention about this aspect.
It may, however, be added that Jainas have given two types of atoms : one with mass and the other without mass. In this sense, heat energy might be equated as particles without mass which can convert into particles with mass under suitable conditions. Thus, heat may be considered as a 4-touch atomicus,
(iii) The various functions are agreeable to the physicists. But how this happens - is not very clear from canons except the fact that heat enters elastically into the matter. It is now known that there are two different methods of heating : (i) heating the iron and (ii) heating the water. The solar heat reaches us by an altogether different method
radiation. The earlier methods are known as conduction and convection. The canons and their commentaries describe none of these methods. These heat transfer processes have been discovered by sharper observation and analytical technics, per chance unknown during canonical periods.
(iv) The change of states of matter by heat takes place due to increase in their motion of particles by thermal energy rather than only by the entry of heat atoms in them. Moreover, changes in states have not been characterised. That is why, there seems to be no mention of common concept like melting and boiling points of substances. However, a crude guess about boiling point of water may be made by the fact that its energy does not change much on boiling to convert it into fire. It may be lost by boiling due to vapourisation.