Abstract
WE regret that the Elementary Treatise on Electricity has not been revised by its author since its first appearance. For example, useful as is the chapter on the absolute measurement of an electric current, its usefulness to students would be increased by a fuller and more detailed explanation. At the foot of p. 559 it is stated that “the heating effect (of the current depends on the strength of the current and the resistance.” It should be the square of te strength of the current into the resistance, as is correctly stated in a preceding paragraph. On p. 153 there is a mistake in the calculation of the quantity of vater decomposed by a current; 60 c.c × tan. 511/8=75 c.c., and not 80 c.c., as is stated, and afterwards assumed. A description of the sine-galvanometer ought hardly to have been omitted, and a fuller explanation, together with an engraving of Thomson's reflecting galvanometer, ought surely to be given. Ther is also but a meagre account of the induction coil, and the function of the condenser is not explained: the term rheolom instead of contact-bieaker; looks pedantic, and may puzzle some readers. But the most, faulty par of the book in our estimation is the singularly obscure and misleading manner in which the terms Electric Quantity and Tension are defined op p. 64. Tension is spoken of as synonymous with electric depth, or as the French say, electric thickness; whereas he tension, pressure, or power of discharge possessed by any electrified point, varies as the square of the electric depth at that point.
Electricity.
By R. M. Ferguson (W. and R. Chambers.)
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Our Book Shelf . Nature 8, 63 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008063a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008063a0