Chemistry is necessarily an experimental science: its conclusions are drawn from data, and its principles supported by evidence from facts.
Interpretation
Chemistry relies on experimental data and evidence to establish its principles and conclusions.
In this quote, Michael Faraday emphasizes the empirical nature of chemistry as a science. He asserts that chemistry is not just a theoretical discipline; instead, it requires rigorous experimentation and evidence-based conclusions to support its principles. This highlights the importance of observation and data in the scientific method, ensuring that chemistry remains rooted in factual reality rather than speculation.
In practice
In a science class discussion on the scientific method, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of experimental data.
I think chemistry is being frittered away by the hairsplitting of the organic chemists; we have new compounds discovered, which scarcely differ from the known ones and when discovered are valueless-very illustrations perhaps of their refinements in analysis, but very little aiding the progress of true science.
I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds.
It is on record that when a young aspirant asked Faraday the secret of his success as a scientific investigator, he replied, 'The secret is comprised in three words- Work, Finish, Publish.'
When I consider the multitude of associated forces which are diffused through nature - when I think of that calm balancing of their energies which enables those most powerful in themselves, most destructive to the world's creatures and economy, to dwell associated together and be made subservient to the wants of creation, I rise from the contemplation more than ever impressed with the wisdom, the beneficence, and grandeur, beyond our language to express, of the Great Disposer of us all.
Water is to me, I confess, a phenomenon which continually awakens new feelings of wonder as often as I view it.
It is right that we should stand by and act on our principles; but not right to hold them in obstinate blindness, or retain them when proved to be erroneous.
Science is complex and chilling. The mathematical language of science is understood by very few. The vistas it presents are scary-an enormous universe ruled by chance and impersonal rules, empty and uncaring, ungraspable and vertiginous. How comfortable to turn instead to a small world, only a few thousand years old, and under God's personal; and immediate care; a world in which you are His peculiar concern.
Global warming isn't a prediction. It is happening.
Nobody ever told us all matter radiated. We just assumed it did.
Any objective look at what science has to say about climate change ought to be sufficient to persuade reasonable people that the climate is changing and that humans are responsible for a substantial part of that - and that these changes are doing harm and will continue to do more harm unless we start to reduce our emissions.
If such a thing had happened once, it must surely have happened many times in this galaxy of a hundred billion suns.
By looking far out into space we are also looking far back into time, back toward the horizon of the universe, back toward the epoch of the Big Bang.
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