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Early Concepts of Chemistry in Jaina Canons : (141)
capacity of high order because of specific electrical natures as suggested by Pujyapāda of fifth century A.D. The canonical properties of atoms could be summarized under four heads: (i) Dynamic properties (ii) Conservative properties (iii) Variety of atoms and (iv) Bonding properties.
The Jainas presume atoms to be static as well as dynamic. However, dynamism is more prevalent. Their movements may be linear or complex, elastic or non-elastic, vibratory or translatory. It may move irregularly in different directions without even touching other atoms in the way. The cause of motion may be natural, external or both. Despite normal elastic motions, they may have non-elastic motions due to (i) absence of medium of motion (ii) high velocity collision and (iii) bonding with other atoms. The scientists have added only spinning type motion to this Jaina concept. Besides motions, speeds of atom have also been given in terms of minimum and maximum. The minimum speed is one space point per unit Samaya of time and the maximum speed could be 1027 cm per unit Samaya (i.e. the end of the universe). In contrast, the Greeks and Vaiseṣikas have not dealt with speed at all, while the scientists have an average speed of 104 105 cm per second. This could be increased or decreased under different conditions. The Jainas have, however, not suggested the normal speeds per chance due to lack of measuring techniques. The scientists may not substantiate these speed limits, as their highest speed is 1010 cm. A. K. Jain's calculations lead to even much higher speed of atoms to the order of 1047 cm per second based on Vedic time units. Munishri calculates still higher speeds.
The eternality and indestructibility of mattergy naturally leads to the conservation law- a concept existing long before Lomonsoff's law of 1774. In contrast of Greeks and Vaiseṣikas, Jainas have many types of atomic classification based on different physical properties. On the basis of size, there are two types: (i) fine or ideal and (ii) real or phenomenal or (i) causal and (ii) effect atoms. The real atom consists of indefinite number of fine or ideal atoms. Most of the canonical properties refer to the real atoms. A 4- aspectual classification also exists: substantive, spatial, timal or modal. The early literature refers to these types with not many details.
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