Record

Reference numberRR/15/178
LevelItem
TitleReferee's report by George Carey Foster, on a paper 'The resistive and electromotive forces of the electric arc' by William Duddell
Date12 August 1901
DescriptionSectional committee: Physics and chemistry

Recommended for publication in Philosophical Transactions but it is much too long in its present form. The first 31 pages might be omitted with advantage with the exceptions of page six and 24-28, also from the last paragraph of page 40 to the top of page 42. Pages 44 to 53 are largely taken up with descriptions of methods that were superseded by others and might be much shorter. The elaborate tables of numerical results might be replaced with average results with specimens of the direct experimental readings sufficient to show the exact nature of the observations made. Figures one to three belong to the part of the paper that he thinks should be omitted. Figures four and five do not require engraving but could be reproduced with brass-rules and braces. Does not think the following figures are needed; seven, nine, 12, 13, 16, 17 or 18. Figures 11 and 14 are not needed. The curves expressing the experimental results should be given but 'No. IX' is very long and might be compressed. The paper embodies much well-directed labour and he regards it as a valuable contribution to the knowledge of its subject, but it is written too elaborately and over loaded with detail. The style of composition and illustrations would be more in place in the 'Proceedings of the Institution of Electrical Engineers'. Provides a list of grammatical and punctuation errors with page references.
Does not think the paper can be re-edited by scissions alone. The author probably attaches importance to the professed proof on page seven, that the idea of a negative resistance is not unreasonable. The proof rests on an imaginary experimental result and therefore this part of the paper is not essential.

[Published in Philosophical Transactions A, 1904].

Endorsed on verso as received 15 August 1901.
Extent4p
FormatManuscript
Physical descriptionStandardised form (type A)
Digital imagesView item on Science in the Making
Access statusOpen
Related materialDOI: 10.1098/rsta.1904.0022
Related records in the catalogueRR/15/179
RR/15/180
RR/15/181
Fellows associated with this archive
CodeNameDates
NA6347Foster; George Carey (1835 - 1919); chemist and physicist1835 - 1919
NA6948Duddell; William (1872 - 1917); electrical engineer1872 - 1917
Add to My Items

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView