HERTZ'S RESEAKCHES ON ELECTKICAL OSCILLATIONS.* 



BY G. W. DE TUNZELMANN, K. SC. 



H. Hertz has been engaged for some time past iu a series of researches 

 ou electrical oscillations, which have led to results of very exceptional 

 importance, and as these results throw considerable light on the nature 

 of electrical action, it will be of interest to have a connected account 

 of the investigations, to which I therefore propose to devote a short 

 series of papers. 



In Hertz's first paper on the subject, viz, " On Very Eapid Electrical 

 Oscillations" (Wiedemann's Annalcn, 1887, vol. xxxi, page 421), he 

 refers to a paper by Colley, "On Some New Methods for Observing 

 Electrical Oscillations, with Applications" {iMd.^ vol. xxvi, page 432), 

 who calls attention to the fact that Sir William Thompson iu 1853, 

 showed the possibility of producing electrical oscillations by the dis- 

 charge of a charged conductor, and gives references to all the investiga- 

 tions in the same direction which were known to him.t 



* From The Electrician (published in London), Sept. 14 to Nov. 16, 1888, toI. xxi, 

 pp. ,587, 625, 663, 696, 725, 757, 788 ; vol. xxii, pp. 16, 41. 



t For the benefit of readers who may wish to pursue the subject further the list is 

 reproduced below : — 



[Joseph Henry was the first to experimentally demonstrate the oscillation of elec- 

 trical discharges, in June, 1842. Proceedings American Philosopli. Soc, vol. ii, pages 

 193-196. Also, "Scientific Writings of Joseph Henry," published by the Smithson- 

 ian Institution ; vol. i, page 200.] 



Von Helmholtz, "Erhaltung der Kraft." Berlin, 1847: Translated and published 

 in Tyndall's "Scientiiic Memoirs," London, 1853, vol. i, page 143. Also, "Gesam- 

 nielte Abhaudlungen," vol. i, page 531. 



Sir William Thomson, L. E. D. Phil. Mag. 18.53, vol. v, page 400. Also, "Mathe- 

 matical and Physical Papers," vol. i, page 540. 



Feddersen.Poggendortfs Annaleu, 18.58, vol. cm, page 69; 18.59, vol. cviii, page 

 497; 1861, vol. cxii, page 4.52; 1861, vol. cxiii, page 437; 1862, vol. cxv, page 336; 

 1862, vol. cxvi, page 132. 



Kirchhoff, "Gesauimelte Abhandlnngen," page 168, containing remarks on and 

 corrections of some of Feddersen's results. 



Von Oettingen, Poggendorff's Annalen, 1862, vol. cxv, page 513; and Jubelband 

 of same, 1874, page 269. 



Bernstein, Poggeudorlt's Annalen, 1871, vol. CXLII, pages 54-88. 



Schiller, Poggendorff's Annalen, 1872, vol. cLii, page 535. 



Mouton, These, Paris, 187(5. Journal den Physique, 1876, vol. VI, pages 5 and 46. 



H. Mis. 224 10 145 



