Scientific instruments

Zombrex

Hi guys,

Can anyone recommend a good popular science book on the history and development of scientific instruments and measuring devices.

One of the BBC Science programs recently spent a few minutes on how scientists in the late 19th century measured the speed of light and it really peaked my interest in the development behind the measuring equipment. Sure the results are the meat of the work, but how they actually measure the results I feel is often equally if not more fascinating.

It is one area of popular science/general science education that I think isn't really covered that much. For example, you can buy plenty of books on for example the Higgs Boson that the LRC is trying to find but not much on what the LRC physically is itself, ie how do the instruments work, what is in them that allows scientists to know something has happened, how do scientists detect a particle etc. Not just in quantum physics but all areas.

Any recommendations or links would be greatly appreciated

thecornflake

Zombrex wrote: »

Hi guys,

Can anyone recommend a good popular science book on the history and development of scientific instruments and measuring devices.

One of the BBC Science programs recently spent a few minutes on how scientists in the late 19th century measured the speed of light and it really peaked my interest in the development behind the measuring equipment. Sure the results are the meat of the work, but how they actually measure the results I feel is often equally if not more fascinating.

It is one area of popular science/general science education that I think isn't really covered that much. For example, you can buy plenty of books on for example the Higgs Boson that the LRC is trying to find but not much on what the LRC physically is itself, ie how do the instruments work, what is in them that allows scientists to know something has happened, how do scientists detect a particle etc. Not just in quantum physics but all areas.

Any recommendations or links would be greatly appreciated

I would imagine it is very hard to describe how all the above works in a popular science book. Things like the LHC are a combination of may different areas of physics working together at the highest technological level. A basic view can be given, but it seems you are looking for a more in depth description which IMO would require a big understanding of a range of areas in physics.

Also bearing in mind that a lot of stuff was developed in CERN for the LHC so some of the components and technologies are not in use any where else and thus extremely specialised.

As a suggestion, for the basic level apparatus of experiments, I would recommend you try to procure some physics laboratory manuals from various universities. Most students will perform experiments like speed of light ect and the manuals will give a description of the apparatus in use. I have no idea if the universities will sell you a manual if you are a not a physics student, but it could be worth a shot as they are a great resource for this kind of thing.

Zombrex

thecornflake wrote: »

I would imagine it is very hard to describe how all the above works in a popular science book. Things like the LHC are a combination of may different areas of physics working together at the highest technological level. A basic view can be given, but it seems you are looking for a more in depth description which IMO would require a big understanding of a range of areas in physics.

Also bearing in mind that a lot of stuff was developed in CERN for the LHC so some of the components and technologies are not in use any where else and thus extremely specialised.

As a suggestion, for the basic level apparatus of experiments, I would recommend you try to procure some physics laboratory manuals from various universities. Most students will perform experiments like speed of light ect and the manuals will give a description of the apparatus in use. I have no idea if the universities will sell you a manual if you are a not a physics student, but it could be worth a shot as they are a great resource for this kind of thing.

Cheers, that is a good idea, didn't think of that

krd

You might try here http://www.sis.org.uk/resources/publications

Well written books on a subject can be a great way of learning science.

Lab manuals and text books often don't give a narrative for the equipment.

And text books have a history of being dire and useless. I've seen some outrageous text books.

A history of the instruments that weaves in the theory, and the development of the theory would be a great book.

locum-motion

Might be a little too basic for what you're looking for, but you might get some answers in 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson. It has good explanations of how people did things like measure the mass of the earth and so on. Can't remember if it goes as far as the LHC though. I think probably not.

Zombrex

well it wasn't the LRC specifically, I appreciate that understanding how all that works would be a huge task. More the basic instruments, such as the first photon detectors and that sort of thing. I'll give your book a look, I've heard good things about in general.

kwalshe

I work in a company that has been selling scientific and laboratory instruments since 1780 in Dublin, and a previous MD was the inventor of the Mason Hygrometer. In my experience older manufacturers of equipment always have books on the history of different instruments and their invention, i have seen a few of these over the years. I have looked before but never found any good books on the topic