I have broken the machine and touched the ghost of matter.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rutherford metaphorically describes breaking apart matter to reveal its hidden, intangible essence or energy.
- In plain terms
- Breaking matter reveals its hidden, ghostly essence.
- What can you take from it?
- Deep inquiry into nature reveals hidden realities.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the 'ghost' of matter?
- How far can we push experimentation?
Another view
The poetic language may obscure the specific scientific achievement.
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