| RefNo | MS/962/1/9 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [Joseph] Larmor, 24 Mark Street, Portrush, to [Thomas] Preston |
| Creator | Larmor; Sir Joseph (1857-1942); Irish theoretical physicist |
| Recipient | Preston; Thomas (1860-1900); Irish physicist |
| Date | 5 September 1899 |
| Description | If Preston's nitrous oxide insulates, then he thinks the interpretation is right. Larmor tried to ascertain whether the Kerr double refraction effect in an electric field is of an order that might be accounted for by the mechanical stress and charges but he dould find no exact data in Kerr's papers, and he throws doubt on subsequent experiments by others. Larmor considers that the Kerr effect might be caused by changes of free periods of the molecules by their polarization, related to the direction of the electric force. He considers the effect in a gas, concluding that the effects are real, but wonders if they are big enough to detect. Larmor will be at Dover during the week. |
| Extent | 3p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |