Faraday and the Philosophical Magazine

Abstract

Faraday is considered to be one of the greatest scientists of all time. He not only was a meticulous experimentalist, a true experimental wizard, but also a very prolific author. The many important contributions (almost 50) that he published in the Philosophical Magazine make it highly desirable to catalogue his various inventions, ‘discoveries’ in his own words, in a scientific language so characteristic of the nineteenth century. It is the purpose of this commentary to guide the reader through his achievements in electrochemistry, magnetism, electric and electromagnetic induction, even ‘industrial’ applications; to enable him to address a present day audience by means of his contributions to the Philosophical Magazine.

Keywords:

• electrical conduction
• electrical conductivity
• electrical properties
• electromagnetic
• magnetism
• magnetic transitions
• magnetic properties
• history of science

Notes

Notes

1. Francesco Zantedeschi (1797–1873), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Zantedeschi

2. Diamagnetic materials produce a magnetic field in the opposite direction of that of an applied external magnetic field.

3. The electromotive force ϵ is given by

where Φ _B is the magnetic flux and t the time.

4. The Maxwell–Faraday equation (Faraday's law of induction) is of the form

where E is the electric field, B the magnetic field, and t the time.

5. By the way, the very first telegram was sent by Queen Victoria to the President of the United States, James Buchanan.

6. Leyden battery or Leyden jar, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyden_jar

7. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutta-percha