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科学,激活了张衡地动仪

Science brings back Zhang Heng’s seismometer to life

  • 摘要: 张衡在公元132年发明的地动仪是人类历史的第一台地震仪器——验震器,失传于东汉末年(大约公元190—220年) .为了展现这一伟大的科技成果,国内外自1875年以来提出过13种概念性的地动仪复原模型,都不能够验震工作.其中王振铎于1951年提出的展览模型最为流行,但是存在着原理性的错误和其他的失误, 受到学术界的严肃批评和否定.为此,中国地震局和国家文物局组织专家从2002年开始了新的科学复原研究.新的研究工作取得了一系列新发现并纠正了过去的误解,证实史料对地动仪的记载并不是孤证,地动仪成功测震的是公元134年12月13日的陇西地震,地动仪的工作原理是悬垂摆,张衡的发明曾经在现代地震学起步阶段起过重要的思想启迪作用.新设计的模型已经于2008年定型,内部结构有5部分,形似汉代酒樽,蟾蜍为器足,不仅更加符合史料和汉代的历史特征,而且具有了良好的验震和抗干扰功能,陇西地震现象得到重现,百年多的复原研究第一次实现了从概念模型到科学仪器的历史性跨越.文章对有关问题进行了介绍.

     

    Abstract: Zhang Heng’s seismometer invented in A.D. 132 was the first seismoscope in the world but was lost by the end of the Dong Han dynasty(about A.D.190—220). To demonstrate this great scientific invention, since 1875 about 13 reconstructed models have been proposed throughout the world; however, all of them were conceptual and did not function as a seismoscope. Among these models, the exhibition model reconstructed by Wang Zhenduo in 1951 was the most popular. Unfortunately, this model contained a fundamental mistake and other faults, and so aroused serious criticism from academic circles. In 2002 the China Earthquake Administration and Bureau of Cultural Relics organized experts to carry out a new study of the scientific reconstruction of Zhang Heng’s seismometer. The present study reports some new findings and corrects existing misunderstandings. It has been verified that there is more than one historical record related to the seismometer, it successfully detected an earthquake on 13 December 134, and its principle of operation was based on a suspended pendulum. Zhang’s invention played an important role in enlightening scientific thinking at the beginning of modern seismology. The new model has now been completed and possesses the following features: its inner structure consists of five parts, the external shape is similar to the warming wine jars of the Han dynasty, and it has toad-shaped feet. In addition to being consistent with historical records and Han culture characteristics, the new model functions well as a robust seismoscope. The phenomenon corresponding to the Longxi earthquake may be reproduced, which indicates a leap from a conceptual model to a reconstruction of the scientific instrument. An overview of the relevant research is presented.

     

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