Modern Views of Electricity

An eminent physicist's deepest reflections on the nature and meaning of electricity, first published in 1889.

Oliver Lodge (Author)

9781108052177, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 June 2012

444 pages, 55 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.56 kg

In 1889, a year after both he and Heinrich Hertz discovered electromagnetic waves and for the first time demonstrated the truth of Maxwell's great theory of the electromagnetic field, physicist Oliver Lodge (1851–1940) published his deepest reflections on the nature and meaning of electricity, how it originates, and its different manifestations. There had been great scientific advances - the work of Faraday and Maxwell, his own experiments and those of Hertz - and a revolution in technology. There were also puzzling questions. What is the connection between electricity and the ether that occupies space? How does electricity manifest itself in matter? Why does it come in fixed units? The discovery of the electron eight years later would offer crucial answers. Always lucid and direct, with a gift for making the difficult seem simple, Lodge engages the reader with his fascination for the subject, much as he did in his famous lectures.

Preface
Part I. Introduction and Electrostatics: 1. Fundamental notions
2. The dielectric
3. Charge and induction
Part II. Conduction: 4. Metallic and electrolytic conduction
5. Current phenomena
6. Chemical and thermal methods of producing currents
Part III. Magnetism: 7. Relation of magnetism to electricity
8. Nature of magnetism
9. Structure of a magnetic field
10. Mechanical models of a magnetic field
11. Mechanical models of current induction
Part IV. Radiation: 12. Relation of ether to electricity
13. Constants of the ether
14. Electrical radiation, or light
15. Electro-magnetic and electrostatic effects on light
Appended lectures: 1. The relation between electricity and light
2. The ether and its functions
3. The discharge of a Leyden jar
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: History of engineering & technology [TBX]