NFB - Herzberg (1979)

Summary

This video explores the work of Gerhard Herzberg, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist, who revolutionized our understanding of molecular spectroscopy. Herzberg believed life couldn't have originated in space, advocating that it thrives within planetary atmospheres. He unraveled mysteries of molecular behaviors through spectroscopy, a field that examines how matter interacts with light to determine the composition of stars, planets, and celestial bodies. The video delves into the techniques of absorption and emission spectroscopy, Herzberg's discovery of methylene, and his philosophy of science as an intellectual art akin to painting and music. Herzberg's contributions continue to inspire as they have greatly expanded scientific insight into atomic and molecular structures, showcasing the intellectual adventure present in basic science.

Highlights

• Herzberg's unique perspective challenged the notion that life could begin in space, focusing instead on planetary atmospheres. 🪐
• He used spectroscopy to decode the compositions of planets and comets without a telescope, simply by analyzing light interaction. 🌠
• Her pioneering work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1971 for his contributions to molecular spectroscopy. 🏆
• Herzberg's experiments with light and molecules helped identify the presence of complex molecules in space, like methane in Jupiter and carbon dioxide on Venus. 🧪
• The discovery of methylene after 15 years epitomizes scientific dedication and breakthrough, enlightening our understanding of free radicals. 💡
• Spectroscopy involves absorbing and emitting light to uncover molecular structures, acting as a cosmic fingerprint decoder. 🖐️
• For Herzberg, science wasn't just practical; it was an intellectual pursuit parallel to the creative process of the arts. 🎭

Key Takeaways

• Gerhard Herzberg, though blind, had a vision! He pioneered our understanding of molecular spectroscopy without ever looking through a telescope. 🌌
• Herzberg's work in spectroscopy earned him a Nobel Prize, proving that you can be a chemistry superstar too! 🌟
• Spectroscopy isn't just about pretty lights—it's the key to unlocking secrets of the universe, from the tiniest hydrogen atom to the vastness of comets, stars, and galaxies. 🔬
• Herzberg's discovery of methylene was a breakthrough 15 years in the making, showing that patience and a good lab assistant can yield groundbreaking results! 🚀
• Science is more than just numbers; Herzberg viewed it as an art form, akin to painting or music, emphasizing creativity and intellectual adventure. 🎨

Overview

Gerhard Herzberg challenged conventional ideas about where life could originate, arguing for its emergence within planetary atmospheres rather than in space. His work in molecular spectroscopy did not involve peering through telescopes. Instead, he unraveled cosmic mysteries through the detailed analysis of how light interacts with matter. By examining these interactions, Herzberg was able to deduce the compositions of distant planets and comets, offering groundbreaking insights without ever leaving Earth.

Herzberg's pioneering efforts in spectroscopy culminated in a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1971, a testament to his deep impact on the field. His work made significant strides in identifying space molecules, such as methane in Jupiter’s atmosphere and carbon dioxide on Venus, using only the spectrum of light. His innovative techniques of absorption and emission spectroscopy continue to influence scientific research in atomic and molecular chemistry.

In addition to his scientific discoveries, Herzberg viewed science as a profoundly artistic endeavor. He saw parallels between the intellectual adventure of scientific exploration and the creative expression found in music and the arts. His persistent 15-year quest that led to the discovery of methylene exemplifies the fusion of creativity and scientific rigor. Herzberg's legacy is a testament to science as an art form, a pursuit driven by curiosity and the quest to understand the universe's fundamental truths.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction to the Origin of Life and Spectroscopy The chapter begins with a casual introduction featuring background music, setting a laid-back tone for the discussion.
• 01:00 - 03:00: Gerhard Herzberg's Contributions to Astronomy and Chemistry In this chapter, the focus is on Gerhard Herzberg's insights and contributions to the fields of astronomy and chemistry. He speculates on the origin of life, expressing skepticism about its development in space and suggesting that life can only exist in planetary atmospheres. Herzberg also touches upon the mysteries surrounding the formation of planets and stars. The primary method through which we understand the composition of cosmic bodies, such as stars and planets, is through their spectral analysis. This technique allows scientists to determine the composition of various celestial entities, including comets.
• 03:00 - 08:00: Spectroscopy Methods and Applications The chapter examines the use of spectroscopy to understand extraterrestrial atmospheres, specifically focusing on the discovery of methane and hydrogen in Jupiter's atmosphere and carbon dioxide on Venus. Gerhard Hertzberg, a key figure in this field, is highlighted for his unconventional method of studying space through spectroscopy rather than telescopes, investigating atoms and molecules to infer their behaviors.
• 08:00 - 13:00: Spectroscopy in Space and Herzberg's Research on Free Radicals The chapter discusses the interaction of matter and light, highlighting Dr. Hertzberg's work in the field. It mentions Dr. Hertzberg receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1971 for his contributions. The text emphasizes that, while scientists are expected to be logical, scientific progress often begins with intuitive ideas that are later validated through logical experimentation.
• 13:00 - 18:00: Recognition and Philosophical Insights on Science The chapter introduces a thought-provoking quote by Professor Calvin of the University of California, highlighting the creative scientist's ability to intuitively guess the answer even with incomplete and partially correct evidence.

NFB - Herzberg (1979) Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 hey [Music]
• 00:30 - 01:00 if we knew really knew the origin of life that would be a terrific advance i cannot believe that life originated in space my feeling is life can only exist in planetary atmospheres and how does it get there how is a planet formed how are stars formed all that we know about the composition of stars and planets and comets we know through the spectrum it's in that way that for example we know that there's a
• 01:00 - 01:30 lot of methane in jupiter in the atmosphere of jupiter and a lot of hydrogen very a great deal of hydrogen and and other similar things carbon dioxide on venus and that was first established by the spectroscope gerhard hertzberg is no ordinary astronomer he learns about space without looking through a telescope instead he uses spectroscopy his experiments deal with atoms and molecules he hunts for clues to their behavior examine scraps of evidence left behind
• 01:30 - 02:00 when matter interacts with light in 1971 his detective work earned dr hertzberg the nobel prize in chemistry a scientist of course is required to be a logical man but that doesn't mean that science works always in a logical fashion very often a scientist has some bright idea which he cannot justify at the present time and then he proceeds to try and prove this idea by logical experiments i
• 02:00 - 02:30 remember a very interesting quote by professor calvin of the university of california who said the really creative scientist is one who can intuitively guess the answer when only half the evidence is in and only half of it is right and i think there's a lot to that as a young man herzberg studied physics when he left his native germany for canada in 1935 little was known about
• 02:30 - 03:00 molecular spectroscopy but his findings soon brought valuable new insights to the field and for herzberg a worldwide respect among scientists today after more than 30 years of work at the national research council in ottawa he has lost little of his boyhood fascination with the unknown well i think spectroscopy is creative just like any other science and it just intrigues me that there are such things
• 03:00 - 03:30 as molecules and how complicated can they get why are molecules the way they are and what kind of molecules have not been found here that should be found so spectroscopy is a science of discovery and i think it's fair to say that it has made a very basic contribution to the development of science all over spectroscopy deals with the analysis of light into its components the first person to have done that was isaac newton who in a dark room had a hole in
• 03:30 - 04:00 a curtain and took a prison and held it in this beam of light that resulted and he found that the light is decomposed into its various colors from red to blue the rainbow colors in fact the same phenomenon happens more or less in the rainbow except there are no prisms and so newton was the first to establish
• 04:00 - 04:30 that white light is made up of all these various colors which can be combined again and give again white light and that the all that the prism does it separates out these various colors which are all contained in the white light today instead of using prisms to separate light scientists work with instruments known as diffraction gratings light rays are broken up by thousands of
• 04:30 - 05:00 very fine parallel lines etched on the surface of a concave mirror various wavelengths in the light go off at different angles some are deflected less than others the result is a rainbow of color by spreading out wavelengths in this way scientists can examine different areas of the spectrum in detail and look for fine changes in the light caused by atoms or molecules to do this they take pictures of the light in a spectrograph a kind of room-sized scientific camera
• 05:00 - 05:30 in one technique called absorption spectroscopy light is filtered through a sample of atoms or molecules usually a gas contained in a glass tube certain wavelengths are removed by the sample while the rest of the light continues on undisturbed the beam is then focused by a lens and passes through a narrow slit onto a diffraction grating once spread out the
• 05:30 - 06:00 light travels along to another part of the spectrograph where it hits a photographic plate here its image or spectrum is recorded just as it might be on the film in an ordinary camera the missing pieces of light removed by the sample show up as a number of tiny gaps or lines in different parts of the spectrum while spectrographs may not look quite the same in every laboratory certain elements are always found in absorption experiments a container of sample
• 06:00 - 06:30 lenses to focus the light a narrow slit a diffraction grating and a photographic plate light filters through the sample onto the plate its missing wavelengths cut sharp lines in the spectrum another method used to study atoms and molecules is called emission spectroscopy unlike absorption an electric current is
• 06:30 - 07:00 passed through the sample this time the molecules themselves are excited and give off certain wavelengths of light these so-called emission lines from the sample register on the photographic plate in the dark room emission or absorption lines become visible as the glass plates are developed scientists use these black and white lines as keys to unlock the secrets of
• 07:00 - 07:30 matter with spectroscopy they not only answer the most basic questions of pure research but can also solve the more practical problems in the industrial laboratory measurements of spectral lines provide the clues the strengths of the lines and their positions in the spectrum tell about the size shape and energy makeup of atoms and molecules each different sample leaves its own distinctive pattern of lines a coded
• 07:30 - 08:00 message unlike any other spectroscopy is a means of decoding the message that is in the spectrum and transforming it into information about the structure of that particular molecule this structure in fact determines how molecules respond to light and how they step between various internal levels of energy arranged like rungs on a ladder in absorption molecules remove a portion
• 08:00 - 08:30 of light step up to a higher energy level and leave a line in the spectrum each molecule is unique in the sense that it has a spectrum of its own just like every individual has his individual fingerprint a molecule's emission fingerprint is just the opposite of absorption [Music] as it drops to a lower level the molecule gives off energy which appears as a line in its spectrum
• 08:30 - 09:00 but emission isn't limited to molecules in the laboratory we see more common examples every day a diffraction grating brings to life the spectrum of the street [Music] um
• 09:00 - 09:30 um [Applause] [Music]
• 09:30 - 10:00 just as they do on earth atoms and molecules in space leave the same fingerprints in their spectral lines both by emission and absorption [Music] using modern telescopes to gather light from space astronomers record these spectra and learn a great deal about the conditions of stars and of planets the spectrographs that astronomers use in principle are very similar to what we use in the laboratory the spectrographs are
• 10:00 - 10:30 either directly attached to the back of the telescope that's one version the other version is that the light is taken out of the telescope and led into a room where there is usually a big spectrograph which is stationary and doesn't move with a telescope here astronomers take portraits of starlight the light collected outside by the telescope's main mirror is directed by a series of smaller mirrors and lenses toward a photographic plate
• 10:30 - 11:00 but before reaching the plate the light first falls on a diffraction grating where it is spread out into separate wavelengths the message it carries is then recorded on film by comparing these spectra with measurements made in the laboratory astronomers are able to identify certain atoms or molecules in space but the spectrum really doesn't only tell us what particular atoms or molecules are present in all these celestial bodies they also tell us a
• 11:00 - 11:30 little more because they tell us what for example is the temperature because a molecular spectrum uh changes radically when you change the temperature and so by looking at the relation of a number of lines of a given molecule the intensities of these lines you can tell what is the temperature for example on the star or even in the space between the stars we also find out about what comets are and it turns out that the spectra of
• 11:30 - 12:00 comets are almost entirely spectra of free radicals free radicals the words have special meaning for dr hertzberg he has spent long years in his laboratory tracking these elusive scraps of molecules which flip by in an instant whether on earth or in space they vanish almost as fast as they appear leaving behind little record of their life a free radical is a transient molecule
• 12:00 - 12:30 it lives only for a short time it is a fraction of a larger molecule for example if you take the methane molecule ordinary gas methane has the formula ch4 that is it has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms the four hydrogen atoms being symmetrically arranged above the one carbon atom well if you split off one hydrogen atom from methane you get what is called methyl removing one more hydrogen leaves methylene a tiny fragment made of two
• 12:30 - 13:00 hydrogen atoms attached to carbon like other free radicals methylene reacts instantly with anything it hits it may live no more than a millionth of a second hertzberg searched over 15 years to find its fingerprint to record its fleeting lifetime in a spectrum one spring his patience was finally rewarded in may 1959 i think it was the 12th of may i uh had this what you what nowadays is called
• 13:00 - 13:30 breakthrough uh of really finding the spectrum that i had looked for for 15 years namely the spectrum of methylene 3-methylene ch2 and the moment is still very clear in my memory because i remember it was a very busy day and my technical assistant mr shoesmith who helped me a great deal in all my work he came up i have a new spectrum for you that you must see i said i'm terribly
• 13:30 - 14:00 sorry but i have to go to the seminar he said you can't go you have to see this spectrum and uh and it was it finding the methylene spectrum was a memorable moment in hertzberg's career another moment would come 12 years later in stockholm the nobel prize canada's first in the sciences in noting his contributions to molecular spectroscopy and the study of free radicals the nobel committee said of herzberg it is quite exceptional that a
• 14:00 - 14:30 single individual however distinguished can be the leader of a whole area of research of general importance on the nobel medal whether it's for chemistry or physics or for literature it says it is wonderful to see life enriched by the invention of the arts in other words the uh nobel people consider science like physics and chemistry as part of the arts and i think they're right in doing so
• 14:30 - 15:00 the real advances in science certainly come from creative individuals of a type not unlike i would say artists painters musicians writers they're all creative in different ways but they are creative if you give scientists the freedom to do what they think they can do then i think you get the maximum yield from the scientists
• 15:00 - 15:30 so
• 15:30 - 16:00 so when tries to do science because it is an intellectual activity that is satisfying it is something that tells us about who we are what differentiates man
• 16:00 - 16:30 from animal and our such questions in other words we do science not in order to gain practical advantage from it but in order to foster the advance of the human spirit the intellectual adventure that is involved in science is the motivating force for scientists [Music]
• 16:30 - 17:00 basic science deals with problems that are entirely intellectual why is this so how far are the stars how big is the universe and when did it come into existence and problems of this sort and then more down to earth in my own field why are molecules the way they are and what kind of molecules have not been found here that should be found i think
• 17:00 - 17:30 a very good quote in that respect is one from the famous mathematician of the last century jacobi who said the sole purpose of science is the glory of the human spirit so
• 17:30 - 18:00 [Applause]
• 18:00 - 18:30 so [Applause] [Music]
• 18:30 - 19:00 you