Institute of Physics: History of Physics Group

The laboratories and equipment used by the Third Baron Rayleigh (John William Strutt) and his son, the Fourth Baron Rayleigh (Robert John Strutt), remain largely as they were when used by these great scientists. This unique inheritance from an earlier age provides a fascinating insight into the way that science was conducted at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries.

A half-day meeting of the History of Physics to be held at the Institute of Physics headquarters in London will provide an opportunity to hear about these laboratories and to learn about the scientific contributions made by the Third Baron Rayleigh. These include theoretical and experimental work in virtually every field of physics known at the time, including electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, acoustics, fluid dynamics and optics. Many effects he discovered are known by his name; for example Rayleigh scattering, the Rayleigh-Jeans law, the Rayleigh criterion, Rayleigh waves, Rayleigh damping etc. Surprisingly he is less well remembered for one of his greatest achievements, namely the discovery of argon for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize.

The programme will consist of three illustrated presentations:

2.00pm My Forebears by the 6th Baron Rayleigh

2.30pm The Laboratories and Work of the 3rd Baron Rayleigh by Professor E A Davis

3.30pm Tea

3.45pm The Discovery of Argon by Sir John Meurig Thomas

4.45pm Close of programme

Registration required:

No

Free:

Yes