Abstract
In 1846 Wilhelm Weber (1804–1891) discovered that a characteristic velocity, almost equal to the velocity of light, was a significant constant in the theory of electrodynamics. James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1874) accepted this discovery within his theory of the electromagnetic field (1861–62) and used it as important evidence for his electromagnetic theory of light. This is interesting for a number of reasons.
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Notes and References
Kenneth F. Schaffner ‘Outlines of a Logic of Comparative Theory Evaluation with Special Attention to Pre- and Post Relativistic Electrodynamics’, in R. Stuewer (ed.), Minnesota Studies in the Philosophy of Science, Vol. 5 (University of Minnesota Press, 1970 ), pp. 311 - 351.
W. Weber ‘Elektrodynamische Massbestimmungen uber ein allgemeines Grundgesetz der elektrischen Wirkung’, in W. Weber’s Werke (Berlin, 1893), Vol. 3, pp. 25–211. K. H. Wiederkehr, Wilhelm Edward Weber, Erforscher der Wellenbewegung und der Elektricitat (Wiss. Verlagsges., Stuttgart, 1967 ).
E. Whittaker, A History of the Theories of Aether and Electricity (Nelson, London, 1951), 2 vols., Vol. 1, p. 201. Salvo D’Agostino. Whittaker, A History of the Theories of Aether and Electricity (Nelson, London, 1951), 2 vols., Vol. 1, p. 201. Salvo D’Agostino, ‘La scoperta di una velocity quasi uguale alia velocitk della luce nell’elettrodinamica di W. Weber (1804-1891)’, Physis 3-4 (1976), 297–318.
W. Weber and R. Kohlrausch, ‘Ueber die Elektricitatsmenge, welche bei galvanischenStromen durch den Querschnitt der Kette fliesst’ (1856), Weber, op. cit., pp. 597–608; Wiederkehr, op. cit., pp. 140, 141; D’Agostino, op. cit., p. 309.
R. Sviedrys, ‘Physical Laboratories in Britain’, in Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences, Vol. 7, pp. 405–436, p. 425. S. D’Agostino ‘Esperimento e teoria nell’opera di Maxwell’, Scientia 113 (1978), 453–467, p. 454. Also: D’Agostino ‘Experiment and Theory in Maxwell’s Work’ (English Translation), ibid.
J. C. Maxwell, A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, 3rd ed. Preliminary, Sections 1-6; also Sections 620–628.
A. Sommerfeld, Physikalische Zeitschrift 36 (1935), 814, 820; D’Agostino, ‘Esperimento e teoria’, p. 463.
Henry Margenau, The Nature of Physical Reality (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1950), especially: Chapters 6,7.
Mario Bunge, Philosophy of Physics (Reidel, Dordrecht, 1973), pp. 39–179.
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D’Agostino, S. (1981). Weber and Maxwell on the Discovery of the Velocity of Light in Nineteenth Century Electrodynamics. In: Grmek, M.D., Cohen, R.S., Cimino, G. (eds) On Scientific Discovery. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 34. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1284-3_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1284-3_14
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