Social Studies Component

(Segre, Emilio. Portrait of Heinrich Rubens. N.d. Photograph. AIP Emilio Segre Visual ArchivesWeb. 10 Nov 2013. <http://photos.aip.org/history/Thumbnails/rubens_heinrich_a1.jpg>

Option 1. Historical Connection

Heinrich Rubens was a German physicist born in 1865. Heinrich Rubens worked with recognized and remembered physicists such as Max Planck at the University of Berlin. Heinrich Rubens also helped set up the basis of quantum physics. However he is best known for his flame tube, which was demonstrated in 1905.

His original tube was a four-meter section of a pipe with 200 holes evenly spaced along its span. The tube is the sealed and a flammable gas is pumped into the device in order to build pressure. As a result of this there will be only one route to equalize. Then, the escaping gas must be lit to form a row of even flames. After this is done. A loud speaker will be introduced to one of the sealed ends, and standing wave forms will be seen in the flames. It was used for demonstrating acoustic standing waves.

Throughout the years, with the advancement in technology, minor changes have been made to the Rubens’ Tube experiment. Additionally, it is evident that even physics’ projects, have a rich history in them.

Project 365 Playing with Fire.. 2009. Flickr. 10 Nov 2013.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/comedynose/3724359284/sizes/o/in/photostream/>

Diagram of the Ruben flame tube.. 2008. Chart. fysikbasen.dkWeb. 10 Nov 2013.

< http://www.fysikbasen.dk/Images/Figurer/rubensFlammeroerENG.gif >.