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RefNoMS/663/1/35
Previous numbersSc.34
LevelItem
TitleLetter from C V [Charles Vernon] Boys, 11 Alexander Square, to [Arthur] Schuster
CreatorBoys; Sir Charles Vernon (1855-1944); British physicist and inventor
RecipientSchuster; Sir Arthur [formerly Franz Arthur Friedrich] (1851-1934); German physicist
Date14 February [1889]
DescriptionHe is glad that Schuster has been able to apply the fibre successfully, the manipulation not being difficult once learnt. Boys had thought that silk would give way to the better material. He has spent some time on experiments, firstly to complete the radiomicrometer. He is now experimenting with the fibres themselves. The gravity experiments show that it is possible to measure movements which would not have been possible with silk. [Richard] Threlfall has found that the galvanometer is one hundred times more accurate with a quartz fibre, rather than silk. If Schuster finds any advantage in the electrometer, Boys would like to hear about it before lecturing on threads at Oxford, and later in working on the Cantor Lectures. He can make finer fibres, but the ends become so fine that they cannot be seen with a first class microscope. He had not considered the Siemens electric dynamometer capable of precision owing to the mercury cups and surface tension interference. He thinks the quartz fibres are unsuitable for commercial instruments that may be knocked about.
Extent5p.
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
AccessStatusOpen
Fellows associated with this archive
CodePersonNameDates
NA8138Boys; Sir; Charles Vernon (1855 - 1944); physicist and inventor1855 - 1944
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