Chapter 594

"So, you have concluded that this so-called [phlogiston] is the key factor that causes changes in the properties of steel?"

Paul was sitting in his office, listening to reports from chemical researchers. Not far in front of him was an easel-like stand with handmade PPTs made of cardboard. Each cardboard introduced the researchers with pictures and texts. After talking about our experimental process and data, take off the cardboard above and look at the next one.

"Yes, Lord Graiman, phlogiston is exactly the key substance we are looking for. In order to prove its accuracy, we set all possible factors in steel smelting to a single variable and conducted controlled experiments one by one. The result of the experiment should be Reliable.”

Wells was talking to Paul, while Tennyson Fadeev behind him was observing the facial expression of Lord Paul Grayman with some anxiety. He keenly felt that Paul was slightly distracted. Have you ever been disappointed?

Disappointed, why did the lord show such an expression?

Paul pointed to the cardboard they used for introduction, "But I think this so-called [phlogiston] is somewhat unreliable."

"Ho ho! Lord Grayman, maybe I should give you a detailed introduction to phlogiston alone." Wells cleared his throat and began to introduce phlogiston to Paul.

"We believe that flame is an entity, and the basic particle that makes up flame is phlogiston. But in fact, phlogiston is filled between heaven and earth, including the air around us. Plants can absorb phlogiston from the air, and animals can absorb phlogiston from the air. Phlogiston is obtained from plants, so animals and plants contain large amounts of phlogiston. All chemical changes related to combustion are due to the process of objects absorbing and releasing phlogiston. For example, when wood burns, phlogiston escapes, leaving behind a pile of ash. Charcoal, soot, and grease all come from plants. Yes, plants absorb phlogiston in the air, so they are all phlogiston-rich substances.”

After introducing phlogiston, Wells extended his explanation, "In this study, we conducted calcination experiments on metals and then generated metal calcination ash. We believe that metals contain more complex components than metal ash. The component, which is phlogiston, will become metal again if it recombines with phlogiston. . If charcoal and metal ash are burned together, the metal ash can absorb the phlogiston of the charcoal and turn the metal ash into metal again - this is the process and principle of metal smelting. Control the phlogiston content in the metal - use charcoal. , ink sticks and other substances with a large amount of phlogiston - you can control the properties of metals. "

Paul turned to look at Ladi Setia beside him, "You are also a scholar, what do you think?"

Ladi nodded and said, "I think Master Wells's inference is correct."

"Okay, let me ask a few questions. I believe that there is indeed a kind of [phlogiston] in metals to control its properties, but this [phlogiston] is not the phlogiston you call, or in other words, what you call phlogiston." The description is wrong."

A slight smile appeared on the corner of Paul's mouth, which made Wells feel bad, "You said it was a mistake?"

I could only hear the lord's instructions: "Now find me a piece of metal to weigh, then calcine it, and then weigh it after generating metal ash. If according to your inference, metal ash is formed by removing metal and removing phlogiston. So the weight should get lighter, not heavier, right?”

Wells nodded and said, "That's right, Lord Grayman."

Paul winked at him, "We'll see."

His order was quickly implemented, and the experiment began in Paul's office. However, the results surprised the researchers. Instead of becoming lighter, the iron block that produced part of the metallic gray became heavier.

Paul clapped his hands and said with a smile: "A very intuitive phenomenon. It seems that your inference about phlogiston is wrong. Although it cannot overturn the inference that [phlogiston controls the properties of steel], it at least shows that it has at least been burned. Finally, there is something more in the metal, rather than something missing. And based on the subsequent error, I have reason to doubt the correctness of the previous inference.”

Wells, Tennyson and other researchers looked ashen.

——

After continuing the discussion for two hours, the alchemists walked out of Paul's office somewhat dejectedly. Ladi Setia, who was left behind, said to Paul, "Lord Grayman, I have some suggestions."

Paul raised his eyebrows, "Oh? Tell me."

Ladi said: "Listening to what they said just now, Master Wells and the others seem to be suffering from the inability to achieve certain goals with current technical means. For example, if alchemists want to separate elements from certain compounds, it seems that there is only one method available now. ——Burning. According to them, if a certain element cannot be separated, it means that the temperature has not reached what they mean. Originally, they wanted to separate phlogiston directly from other substances, that is, to obtain the elemental substance of phlogiston, and then combine the elemental phlogiston with metals for detailed study, but they failed - in their opinion, this was a failure caused by insufficient temperature. If burned with fire, the phlogiston will escape into the air - of course, according to your experiment just now, this may be wrong. "

Ladi still followed the old tradition and turned chemists into alchemists.

Paul raised his head: "Then what?"

Ladi said in a low voice: "We are not going to discuss right or wrong between you and Wells now. What I want to say is that I can use some means to raise the temperature without flames. Maybe I can help. them."

Paul asked: "Use your...special ability?"

Lady nodded: "Yes." Lady's special ability is of course magic.

Paul waved his hand at her without hesitation, "Oh, I appreciate your suggestion, but... no."

"Why not?" Lady was very confused, and her doubts even had a hint of shame, and her brows were slightly wrinkled.

"Lord Graman, do you also have the prejudice against magic in the eyes of ordinary people?"

No mistake, one post, one content, one 6, one 9, one book, one forum, one look!

Paul shook his head, "I have no prejudice against magic. I think you and I have known for a few years that I don't think magic is about justice or evil. It is just a tool."

Ladi continued to ask: "Are you afraid that it will be leaked and cause the church to blame you?"

"Aha!" Paul smiled, "I might be afraid four years ago! But not now, I have a hundred reasons to evade their investigation."

Ladi asked in confusion: "Then what is the reason that you stopped me from using magic to participate in the research of alchemists? You just said that magic is just a tool. Since it is a tool, and a tool that happens to be used, then it should be used to its full potential."