National Science Day Commemorates Discovery Of The Raman Effect
Every year Government of India celebrates February 28 as the National Science Day in the memory of discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by Indian Physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
C. V. Raman, the acclaimed Indian Physicist became first Indian and Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 and the day of discovery on February 28th is celebrated across the nation.
His thesis on ‘Molecular Diffraction of Light’ was published in 1922 and he discovered evidence of the ‘Quantum Nature of Light’ that came to be known as ‘Raman Effect’ for which he was conferred with the Nobel Prize. In 1954, he was also decorated with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award by the Government of India.
C.V. Raman will always be remembered for his pioneering contribution to science which continues to inspire generations of science enthusiasts.
National Science Day is observed on February 28 to honour the discovery of the “Raman Effect” by Sir CV Raman
📽️Take a look at the journey of 1st Asian to receive a Nobel Prize for Physics which continue to inspire generations of science enthusiasts#CVRaman@MinOfCultureGoI pic.twitter.com/jy4Ot5Id0L
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) February 28, 2024
It is also a wonderful occasion to celebrate and cherish the importance of scientific temper. Notably, one day before the National Science Day India also announced its first set of astronauts for the space program.
On the occasion of National Science Day, Niger Shaji, Project Director of ISRO’s Aditya L1 Mission gave the message, “Whatever the field you are in, have passion and develop resilience in Failures”.
M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC also said that by implementing NEP 2020, the Indian University system aims to advance India’s scientific standing through distinctive research, cutting-edge technology, and meticulously devised actions from AI to Gaganyaan.
What are the Raman Effect and Raman Spectroscopy?
The Raman effect is the shift in light wavelength that happens when molecules deflect a light beam. A little portion of light that travels through a transparent, dust-free sample of a chemical compound exits in directions different from the incident (incoming) beam.
The majority of this dispersed light has the same wavelength. However, a tiny portion possesses wavelengths that are distinct from the incident light; the Raman effect is responsible for its existence.
The oscillating electromagnetic field of a photon causes the molecular electron cloud to polarize when light is dispersed by a molecule. This puts the molecule in a higher energy state and transfers the photon”s energy to it. This could be seen as the molecule and photon forming a very transient compound, known as the virtual state of the molecule. The photon is almost instantly released again as dispersed light, indicating that the virtual state is unstable.
An analytical method called Raman spectroscopy uses scattered light to quantify a sample”s vibrational energy modes.
In addition to providing structural and chemical information, Raman spectroscopy may identify compounds by analyzing their unique Raman “fingerprint.” This information is extracted via Raman spectroscopy by detecting Raman scattering in the material.
