Mikhail Lomonosov. Oratio De Meteoris Vi Electrica Ortis - Discourse on Atmospheric Phenomena Originating from Electrical Force (1753). English tr

📝 Abstract

This is the first complete English translation of Oratio De Meteoris Vi Electrica Ortis - seminal work of the great Russian polymath Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765). It was presented at the public meeting of the St.Petersburg Academy of Sciences in November 1753 and is traditionally listed among Lomonosov’s most important scientific accomplishments. In the Discourse, Lomonosov presents an original theory of generation of electricity in the air and lightning, many elements of which are profoundly correct even by present day understanding of the phenomenon. The theory is based on experimental observations and measurements and supported by some mathematical estimates. The basis of the Lomonosov theory is the idea of vertical air movements as the main cause of atmospheric electricity - the immersion of the cold upper strata of the atmosphere into the lower (warmer) layers causes mechanical friction of miniscular particles in the air against each other, that results in generation of atmospheric electricity. Miniscular particles of two types are required: those of water (vapors) capable of accumulation of the electricity, and organic compounds/fatty particles in the air which are involved in production of the electricity via friction. Electrically charged droplets are assumed to be spread throughout the entire volume of the cloud. The transfer of charges from individual fatty particles to droplets of water in the clouds via countless collisions leads to formation in atmosphere, in clouds of strong electric fields, which are the cause of the appearance of lightning. At the end of Discourse Lomonosov suggests explanations of the Northern lights (aurora borealis) and comet tails as purely electrical phenomena originating from the down- and updrafts in the atmospheres, like in his theory of lightning,and expanding beyond them into the surrounding ether.

💡 Analysis

This is the first complete English translation of Oratio De Meteoris Vi Electrica Ortis - seminal work of the great Russian polymath Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765). It was presented at the public meeting of the St.Petersburg Academy of Sciences in November 1753 and is traditionally listed among Lomonosov’s most important scientific accomplishments. In the Discourse, Lomonosov presents an original theory of generation of electricity in the air and lightning, many elements of which are profoundly correct even by present day understanding of the phenomenon. The theory is based on experimental observations and measurements and supported by some mathematical estimates. The basis of the Lomonosov theory is the idea of vertical air movements as the main cause of atmospheric electricity - the immersion of the cold upper strata of the atmosphere into the lower (warmer) layers causes mechanical friction of miniscular particles in the air against each other, that results in generation of atmospheric electricity. Miniscular particles of two types are required: those of water (vapors) capable of accumulation of the electricity, and organic compounds/fatty particles in the air which are involved in production of the electricity via friction. Electrically charged droplets are assumed to be spread throughout the entire volume of the cloud. The transfer of charges from individual fatty particles to droplets of water in the clouds via countless collisions leads to formation in atmosphere, in clouds of strong electric fields, which are the cause of the appearance of lightning. At the end of Discourse Lomonosov suggests explanations of the Northern lights (aurora borealis) and comet tails as purely electrical phenomena originating from the down- and updrafts in the atmospheres, like in his theory of lightning,and expanding beyond them into the surrounding ether.

📄 Content

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Mikhail Vasil’evich Lomonosov Discourse on Atmospheric Phenomena Originating from Electrical Force by Mikhail Lomonosov 1 Oratio De Meteoris Vi Electrica Ortis, Autore Michaele Lomonosow Habita
Слово о явлениях воздушных, от электрической силы происходящих, предложенное от Михайла Ломоносова

Among the ancient poets it was a custom, listeners, to start their poems with an invocation of the gods or with praise for heroes assembled among the gods so that their words would acquire more beauty and force; I considered it well to follow this example to begin this discourse. Coming to the formulation of the matter which is not only very difficult by itself and connected with countless obstacles but, more than that, may appear more formidable than before because of the sudden overthrow of the industrious accomplice of our zealousness2, and coming to the clarification of this obscurity which, as I think, was introduced into your thoughts by this, confused lot, I must have greater fertility of ingenuity, a more delicate penetration into reasoning, and a more luxuriant richness of word than you can expect from me. Thus, so that my discourse would acquire importance and force and so that a lovely radiance should the subject of the suggested topic out of the darkness, I will employ the name of a hero the sole recollection of whom calls forth attention and reverence in all peoples and tongues. The works of Peter the Great are preached by the lips of all the mankind under the sun, and through the whole realm of the Russian autocracy the narration of these works arouses importance in the government councils, and sainthood in friendly conversations. For this reason, not only we recall here the majesty of such a great name with reverence, as my discourse needs the force and importance, but also the testimony of the grateful hearts of this whole assembly is in truth owing to its founder. For among the numerous great works of the great sovereign, this shrine of sciences in our motherland3, founded by his incredible and almost divine great wisdom, was his main forethought. There are no any doubts about this for those whose impartial reasoning values the immense worth of wide extension of science for the enlightenment of the public, for those who saw themselves or were convinced by the greatness of fame and were astonished at the greater zealousness of the late sovereign to learn the teachings and personally propagate them in the motherland. For when the monarch, who was destined for great deeds, intended to set new troops against the enemy, to occupy a sea with a new fleet, to increase the sanctity of justice by a new majesty of laws to strengthen cities with new walls, to encourage corporations of merchants and diligence in the arts by new edicts and liberties,

1 Translated to English from Russian version of Ref. [1]; all the footnotes added by translator 2 Reference to death of Georg Wilhelm Richmann killed by a bolt of lightning on August 6 (o.s. July 26), 1753 while trying to read an electrical indicator on of his original design (“electric gnomon”) [3, 4]. For many years Richmann (1711-1753) and Lomonosov (1711-1765) collaborated on the studies of atmospheric electricity [5, 6].
3 St.Petersburg Academy of Sciences was stablished by the decree of Peter the Great on February 2 (o.s. January 22), 1724.
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to correct the manners of all the subjects by a word, or, that the whole motherland be born again, then he clearly perceived that, without the use of mathematics, it was impossible to strengthen regiments and cities securely or to build, and launch ships safely; it was impossible to prepare weapons and fire-breathing machines and to prepare medicine for those wounded in battlefield combat without physics; that it was impossible to introduce laws, rules for the courts, or uprightness of manners without studying philosophy and rhetoric; and that, in a word, it was impossible to acquire an expedient defense for the state in time of war or ornamentation in time of peace without the help of science. For this reason, not only did him summon people known in all branches of science and arts from foreign shores to Russia with great rewards and with a tender and courteous reception; not only did he send selected youths like a multitude of hive-bees throughout all European cities and states renowned for their academies, gymnasia, military schools and artists’ works, but he himself, the leader and public example for all burning with the search for knowledge, repeatedly absented himself from his motherland and travelled in Germany, France, England, and Holland, which was more than the customary procedure for other sovereigns. Was there one society of scientific people which he avoided or did not grace with his presence? By no means! He himself did not refuse to be entered in their number4. Was there somewhere a magn

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