Abstract
THIS extremely useful and carefully prepared little book is intended to form the basis of the practical teaching of physics for schoolboys. It describes the way of performing fifty-eight experiments in elementary physical measurements. It appears therefore to have exactly struck the right line between the Scylla and the Charybdis of practical physics, in which a middle course between “merely qualitative work only leading to play” and “measurements by costly instruments requiring on an average two hours for each experiment,” appears to be difficult to steer. Mr. Worthington, whose experience in teaching of this kind is considerable, has embodied the results of his labours in the present compendious little volume, and were the course he has sketched out adopted in all our public schools the gain to physical science would be great. There can be no doubt that one great drawback to the progress of students in physical laboratories even at the Universities is the want of acquaintance with the common instrumenits and with the principles of exact measurement Mr. Worthington's course cannot fail to give this, and to teach moreover something of manipulation, exact observation, and of use of algebra and geometry as applied to real quantities. The acquiring of intelligent and: orderly methods of recording observations is facilitated wherever possible by providing a blank schedule or form wherein to enter the various observations and ihek several corrections, and for comparison between the observed and computed results. The course comprises experiments in elementary mechanical measurements, centre of gravity, specific gravity, elasticity of cords, law of pendulum, &c, and also includes experiments upon the law of Boyle and upon the laws of expansion by heat and of specific heat. We trust it will not be long before Mr. Worthington adds a course of practical experiments in other branches of physics to the present series. He deserves the thanks of all who have to teach physics in the laboratory to beginners in manipulation.
An Elementary Course of Practical Physics.
By A. M. Worthington, Assistant Master at Clifton College. 51 pp. (London: Rivingtons, 1881.)
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An Elementary Course of Practical Physics . Nature 24, 28 (1881). https://doi.org/10.1038/024028a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/024028a0