As a scholar, Shen Kuo is diligent in thinking and humbly asks for advice. He can learn from all the experts, such as "visiting the mirror worker", "asking the old musician in the teaching workshop" and "asking the old doctor". "Wherever I go, hermits in the mountains seek visits, and all medical skills are sincere" and "Inventing textual research, knowing the origin". He attaches great importance to investigation, observation, measurement and experiment, attaches importance to the role of data, and advocates "reasoning" and "reasoning". He advocated "using it simply, changing it as soon as it is complicated, not sticking to one pattern."
Shen Kuo is a generalist. The following is my summary of his scientific achievements.
Optical comparison of pinhole imaging, concave mirror imaging and other reflection (image) phenomena, the concept of "shelter" (focus) is obtained, and the phenomenon of "something as big as hemp burning" at the focus is described in detail.
Acoustics uses paper diagrams to amplify the vibration of strings, so as to observe it intuitively (it will be 500 years before the British have a similar experiment of paper swimming on strings), and also records the cavity effect of "virtual energy and sound" when soldiers and soldiers use leather quiver as pillows, and deeply analyzes the musical acoustics problems such as making various musical instruments and clocks.
Physiologists have two parts: pharynx and larynx. The pharynx is used for swallowing food and the throat is used for ventilation.
geology
1. Seeing the snail shell fossils on Taihang Mountain, he correctly pointed out that this area used to be the seashore.
Step 2 realize the value of oil
After a lot of on-the-spot investigation and observation in botany, he corrected the mistakes of his predecessors according to the real things, such as pointing out that Pulu is Puwei, Chi Jian is Gastrodia elata, and the difference between Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. He illustrated the close relationship between plant growth and temperature by taking phenology in different parts of northern and southern China as an example. He said: "The grass in Lingqiao and Lingdong will not wither;" Also, powder bridge wood, look at the early autumn meteorite; Zhu Yue is full of peaches and plums in winter, while Shuomo is full of peaches and plums in summer. The atmosphere here is different. "
creatural
1. Introduce the crocodile "It looks like a giant salamander, but its beak is as long as its body and its teeth are as serrated" and "it feeds on the tail halberd when it meets deer". The local people took advantage of the crocodile's habit, "put a hook on the jackal, raft and swim in the water, and the crocodile's tail ate it, and then it was killed", thus destroying it.
2. The habit of catching puffer fish is introduced. The puffer fish is "angry at the touch, but its belly bulges and floats on the water".
Astronomy is the head of astronomy department, adding astronomical instruments. In order to observe the position of the North Star, he used the armillary sphere to observe it every night for three months, and finally worked out the correct position of the North Star.
Movable type printing, one of the four great inventions in China, was also recorded in detail by Shen Kuo in Meng Qian's Bi Tan.
What is more valuable in diplomacy is that Shen Kuo has safeguarded national interests and dignity with its scientific and technological talent. At that time, the national strength of the Northern Song Dynasty gradually declined, and after the alliance of the single source, it was forced to pay tribute every year, which encouraged the arrogance of the Liao State. In A.D. 1075, the minister of Liao School asked the Song Dynasty for the land around the mountain (now southwest of Yuanping, Shanxi Province), saying that it was originally the territory of Liao. Shen Kuo carefully checked the information and proved that this land should belong to the Song Dynasty. He also drew a map carefully and took out the real evidence to make Liao speechless. Song Shenzong attached great importance to Shen Kuo and sent him to Beijing (the capital of Liao country, south of Bahrain Zuo Qi in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region). Shen Kuo first collected a lot of geographical information and told his entourage to memorize it. In the face of the importune of Liao, Shen Kuo and officials answered well. At first glance, Liao people were as soft as they could be, but Shen Kuo, who was courageous and knowledgeable, said confidently, "You betrayed the past covenant and tried to intimidate us by force. If it really falls out, I don't think you can get a bargain. " Liao can't take advantage, so he has to give up. Shen Kuo successfully defended national dignity.
Shen Kuo took an active part in Wang Anshi's political reform movement, but was later demoted because of his involvement in the Xixia War. Therefore, Meng Qianpu retired to Runzhou, Jiangsu Province, and devoted himself to writing Meng Qianbi Tan for later generations.
The Purple Mountain Observatory of China Academy of Sciences named an asteroid (No.2027) discovered in 1964 as Shen Kuo to commemorate the great scientist in ancient China.