Abstract
(From a German Correspondent)
M. W. SIEMENS has recently endeavoured to determine the velocity of propagation of electricity in suspended wires. His method of observation consists in the employment of two insulated Ley den jars (or two charge tables), the outer coats of which are metallically connected together. The inner coating of one jar is directly connected by a short wire with a metallic point; that of the other is also connected, with this point, but by a long circuit line, Opposite the point stands a rotating metallic cylinder connected with earth. When the outer coats of the jars are connected with earth, the electricity of the inner coating of both jars at that moment becomes free, and is discharged through the point and the rotating cylinder to earth. If the rotation is sufficiently rapid, and the line long enough, there are produced on the smoked cylinder two marks with an interval between them, which is the measure of the time the electricity took to pass through the wire line from the jar to the point. This arrangement was also modified by placing two points, instead of one, opposite the metallic cylinder; the one being connected directly with one jar, the other by the line with the other jar. A discharge of the jars was first obtained while the cylinder was at rest, and then the discharge was made with the rotating cylinder.
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W., S. Science in Germany . Nature 14, 358 (1876). https://doi.org/10.1038/014358a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/014358a0