Formulating a theory - mathematics in Thomson and Rutherford's collaboration on x-ray ionisation
In 1897 J.J. Thomson ‘discovered’ the electron. The previous year, he and his research student Ernest Rutherford (later to ‘discover’ the atomic nucleus), collaborated in experiments to work out why gases exposed to x-rays became conducting.
This talk will discuss the very different mathematical educations of the two men, and the impact these differences had on their experimental investigation and the theory they arrived at. This theory formed the backdrop to Thomson’s electron work the following year.
Date:
9 November 2018, 15:00
Venue:
Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details:
Classroom C1
Speaker:
Isobel Falconer (University of St Andrews)
Organising department:
Mathematical Institute
Organiser:
Christopher Hollings (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
christopher.hollings@maths.ox.ac.uk
Host:
Christopher Hollings (University of Oxford)
Part of:
History of Mathematics Seminar
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Christopher Hollings
