The History and Present State of Electricity: With Original Experiments

by Joseph Priestley

Overview

When this work first appeared in 1767, electricity was seen as such a minor aspect of natural philosophy that its investigation was not considered a priority for contemporary scientists. The polymath Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) was one of the few who devoted serious effort to advancing the field. Here he charts the history of electrical study from experiments with amber in ancient Greece to the most recent discoveries. The book comprises explanations of the principal theories of electricity - both historical and contemporary - in addition to a selection of well-known experiments carried out by previous researchers. Priestley also details his own experiments, covering such topics as the colour of electric light, the effects of temperature, and even the musical tone of electrical discharges. One of his most successful works, testifying to the clarity of his explanations, the book remains an important text in the history of science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108064392
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/05/2013
Series:	Cambridge Library Collection - Physical Sciences
Pages:	800
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.80(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Part I. The History of Electricity; Part II. A Series of Propositions, Comprising All the General Properties of Electricity; Part III. Theories of Electricity; Part IV. Desiderata in the Science of Electricity, and Hints for the Further Extension of it; Part V. Of the Construction of Electrical Machines, and the Principal Parts of an Electrical Apparatus; Part VI. Practical Maxims for the Use of Young Electricians; Part VII. A Description of the Most Entertaining Experiments Performed by Electricity; Part VIII. New Experiments in Electricity, Made in the Year 1766.