Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 214

196
Microcosmology : Atom when mo is mass of a stationary object or rest mass, mis its mass when in motion, v is its velocity, c is the velocity of light.
From the above equation, we can see that as v increases, the mass also increases and when v is equal to c, mass will be infinity. We had come across an instance of increase in mass while discussing the characteristics of subatomic particles! From this, it is clear that the speed of a particle of matier is always less than that of light and other radiations.
MOTION OF PARAMĀŅU
Mechanics and mathematics of paramāņu as discussed in the Bhagavati Sūtra2 shows that the activities and movements of paramānu are both complex, inexplicable and unpredictable. It is particularly emphasized that there is an element of uncertainty in the activities of the paramāņu. We have already discussed at length the dynamic nature and various types of motion of paramānu. The alternate periods of rest and motion to a certain extent agrees with quantum mechanics.
Difference in the kinds of motions of a paramānu are shown by different terms such as eyati, veyati3, etc. Some of these
Initially the unit of mass 'gramme' was considered the mass of a cubic centimetre of water at its maximum density. Later on, in MIS system, this was changed to kilogram ie. the mass of a cubic decimeter of water. But this suffered from the inherent uncertainty associated with the measurement of volume and temperature. In 1960, kilogram was independently defined as the mass of a platinumiridium cylinder which is preserved at International Bureau of Weights & Measures at Serves, Paris.
This definition of mass has been considered in a mode rather than a rule. So the defining of both mass and length in terms of a certain wave-length of light may provide a coherent means. The wave and particle nature of light inspired S.K. Mukherjee and A. Choudhury to conceive the mass-equivalence of the particle assciated with the orange-red radiation of krypton and a suggestion was put forward by them to define kilogram in terms of the mass of a particle whose De Broglie wave-length is already taken for standardisation of length. Thus the kilogram can be considered in terms of the number of particles associated with the radiation in order to follow the international convention of standards. A precise estimation of the number of particles assumes the value 2.74118798 x 10"
We shall discuss the unit of time in the subsequent pages. (See p. 198) 1. See chapter I, pp. 38-39. 2. See chapter II, pp. 128-131. 3. See chapter 1, pp.