Models of two parabolic zinc reflectors used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949
- Materials:
- zinc (metal) , metal (unknown) , copper (alloy) and wood (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 1949-52 Pt1
- type:
- scientific equipment
Seven 1/4 scale models of apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz, Science Museum workshops, South Kensington, 1949. Pt1 = 2 parabolic zinc reflectors, one with oscillator and other with resonator; Pt2 = plane zinc reflector; Pt3 = Open oscillator with spherical radiators; Pt4 = 3 wooden prisms; Pt5 = wire screen in wooden frame; Pt6 = apparatus for stationary wave experiments (a long cylinder of 24 copper wires)
Seven 1/4 scale models of apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz, Science Museum workshops, South Kensington, 1949.
These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.