Former Display Label - Laboratory Physics
Laboratory Physics
During the era of 'classical physics' in the 19th century, most instruments were still relatively simple and their designs could easily be related to their physical principles.
Spectroscopes, electroscopes and galvanometers, induction coils and vacuum were the routine instruments for exploring the physical world. Several of the instruments here came from the University's Claredon Laboratory, the first purpose-built physics laboratory in Britain, completed in 1872. The main areas of laboratory research were electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and the nature of light.
In the 19th century, natural philosophy transformed into physics. Its practitioners became professional physicists and their activity moved from private experimental cabinets to university and commercial laboratories. Physics also became increasingly mathematical and theoretical.
Other narratives:
Related Objects:
- Inventory No. 24393, "Foucault's Speed of Light Apparatus, by Paul Gustave Froment, Paris, c. 1855" [1927-20], Froment, Paul Gustave
- Inventory No. 26647, "Dial Pattern Kelvin Ampere Gauge, by James White, Glasgow, c. 1890" [1980-24], White, James
- Inventory No. 31036, "Reading Telescope, by Elmeyerstein, Gottingen, c. 1900" [1986-16/14], Elmeyerstein
- Inventory No. 31750, "Siren, by Townson & Mercer, London, c. 1900" [1969-60/23], Townson & Mercer
- Inventory No. 50127, "Simple Astatic Type Galvanometer, English, c. 1840"
- Inventory No. 57029, "Kelvin Astatic Mirror Galvanometer, by Cambridge Scientific Company Ltd, Cambridge, c. 1905", Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company
- Inventory No. 59386, "Kelvin Quadrant Electrometer, by James White, Glasgow, c. 1890", White, James
- Inventory No. 61214, "Moving Iron Watch-Type Voltmeter, by G. S., French, After 1889" [1990-15], 'G. S.'
- Inventory No. 62030, "Tangent Galvanometer, by J. Sax, London, c. 1850", Sax, J.
- Inventory No. 68309, "Moving Coil Unipivot Needle Galvanometer, by Cambridge Instrument Co., c. 1910" [1974-23], Cambridge Instrument Company Ltd
- Inventory No. 68816, "D'Arsonval Galvanometer, by Nalder Bros. & Co., English, c. 1900", Nalder Bros. & Co.
- Inventory No. 70580, "Dolezalek Quadrant Electrometer, by E. Leybold, Cologne c. 1920", E. Leybold's Nachfolger
- Inventory No. 75388, "Quadrant Electrometer, by Elliott Brothers, London, c. 1900" [1957-113], Elliott Brothers
- Inventory No. 83947, "Astatic Galvanometer, by Ruhmkorff, Paris, c. 1850", Ruhmkorff
- Inventory No. 85666, "Compass Galvanoscope, English, c. 1840"
- Inventory No. 89798, "Kelvin Astatic Reflecting Mirror Galvanometer, by Nalder Bros. & Co., London, c. 1900", Nalder Bros. & Co.
- Inventory No. 92364, "Compass Pattern Galvanoscope, English, c. 1830" [1969-80/18]
- Inventory No. 92844, "Moving Magnet Galvanometer, Post-Office Type, by Griffin, c. 1910" [1966-274], Griffin
- Inventory No. 93415, "Standard Cell, by Cambridge and Paul Instrument Co., Cambridge, c. 1895", The Cambridge and Paul Instrument Company Ltd
- Inventory No. 96589, "Clark Standard Cell, by Nalder Bros. & Co., London, 1893", Nalder Bros