An Essay On Magnetic Attractions, And On The Laws Of Terrestrial And Electro Magnetism. Second Edition, much enlarged and improved.
8vo. xii, 303 pp., (1) f. (errata); 6 engraved plates at end. Library stamp on title and several leaves. Bound in buckram. Plates lightly foxed; text clean. Good overall. In 1819 Barlow became interested in the compass deviation caused by the iron in ships. He therefore investigated the action of terrestrial magnetism and conducted a series of experiments on the interaction of iron objects and compass needles. His results, published as Essay on Magnetic Attractions, described a method of correcting ship's compasses by use of a small iron plate. For his discoveries in magnetism he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1823 and received the Copley Medal in 1825.- DSB I.459-60 This second edition has important additions on a number of subjects: the rate of the chronometer as affected by the magnetism of ships; the author's two-fluid theory; the magnetic action of iron spheres, bars, and masts; and experiments in electro-magnetism. The mathematical ability of the self-taught Peter Barlow (1776-1862) allowed him to make a mark in English scientific circles.
First published London, 1820, this is the second enlarged edition of Barlow's shipboard study of magnetism.
Wheeler gift 765a.
Price: $475.00