1. What scientific problem do they deal with? (An extremely interesting ...)

2. What ideas do they put forward? (A highly vital...)

3. What new hypothesis does the scientist advance? (A highly specific...)

4. What new information do our economists consider? (Highly vita/...)

5. What new methods do the researchers develop? (Extremely complicated ...)

6. What new devices do the scientists invent? (Extremely sophisticated...)

 

• Translate into English using the Passive Voice. Follow the model.

Model: Многие насущные (pressing) задачи нашего времени решают­ся в этом институте.

Many ofthe pressing problems of our days are solved at this college.

В нашем институте постоянно решаются жизненно важные (vital) проблемы. Выдвигаются интересные гипотезы. Рассматриваются раз­личные пути исследования. Конструируются высокочувствительные (highly sensitive) приборы. Развиваются новые методы исследования. Изобретаются жизненно необходимые материалы.

 

115

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

 

followv. — следовать за; следовать чему-то, придерживаться чего-то

followed by — за которым следует

as follows — следующим образом

be as follows — заключаться в следующем

it follows that — из этого следует, что; следовательно

in what follows — ниже, в дальнейшем (syn. in the following)

following adj. — следующий

prp. — следуя, вслед за, после; согласно, в соответствии с in the following way — следующим образом (syn. in such a manner, in this fashion, in this way)

 

• Sentences to be translated.

1. These substances can be classified as follows.

2. The procedure to be followed in the experiment is as follows.

3. It follows that where the velocity is higher, the pressure is lower.

4. That discovery followed by great research work of many scientists was a very significant scientific event.

5. The procedure will be followed throughout the book.

 

READING (15A)

 

• Read the passage carefully and find facts to prove or disprove the idea that scientists are close to comprehensive understanding of the superconductivity mechanism.

 

STATUS OF THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING

While scientists know the chemical composition of the new class of superconductors, they are less certain about how they work. True, a theory exists that explains low-temperature superconductivity. It is known as BCS from the initials ofthe authors John Bardeen and his colleagues Leon Cooper and Robert Schrieffer, who shared the 1972 Nobel Prize for physics for their effort.

In the microscopic theory of Bardccn-Coopcr-Schrieffer, the presence of a net attractive interaction between conduction electrons, which would normally repel each other because of their like electrical charges, is essential to the occurance of superconductivity. 1 n conventional superconductors this attraction originates in the dynamical motion ofthe crystal lattice which leads to unattractive "electron-photon-electron" interaction. But the recent appearance of superconductivity in a class of matcrialsquite different from the conventional superconductors, and with extremely high transition temperatures as well, has led physicists to explore a very wide spectrum of possible new pairing mechanisms involving, for example, spin fluctuations, acoustic plasmons and excitonic processes.

The principle origin ofthe pairing "glue" remains an open and to some extent crucial question. There is a wide range of theoretical possibilities, and the ultimate explanation may involve a combination of mechanisms. Indeed, some theorists have discarded conventional BCS-theory and have suggested that there may not even be the traditional close relationship between energy gaps and basic superconducting properties. It may take a considerable effort to fully unravel the secrets of these compounds. Typical ofthe questions currently underactive consideration are the role played by oxygen, the nature and scope of dynamical mechanisms and resulting electron pairing, whether this coupling is weak or strong, and whether the anisotropic nature of the materials is a truly important feature. The appearance of superconducting coherence lengths one or two orders of magnitude smaller than those previously encountered, the very low carrier concentrations, and the apparent importance of both copper and oxygen will probably require a considerable extension of our current understanding of superconductivity. The fact that the superconducting interaction mechanism in the new materials is likely to be very different certainly enhances the prospect that other high-tempcrature superconducting materials (HTSC) may be discovered.

 

• Look through the passage again and find English equivalents for the following Russian phrases.

химический состав; менее уверены; суммарное взаимодействие при­тяжения; сходные заряды; существенно важнодля возникновения; при­тяжение зарождается; механизм образования пар; вопрос остается от­крытым и до некоторой степени критическим; окончательное объясне­ние; "развенчали" общепринятую теорию; энергетические зоны; пол­ностью раскрыть секреты; усиливать перспективу того, что ...; значи­тельное расширение нашего современного представления

 

• Answer the following questions.