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Speed of sound experiment, 1826
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Speed of sound experiment, 1826
Speed of sound experiment. 19th-century artwork of an experiment that took place in 1826 to measure the speed of sound in water. It was carried out on Lake Geneva by the Swiss physicist Daniel Colladon (1802-1893). The listener observes a distant boat where an underwater bell is struck simultaneously with the ignition of flammable powder (see C013/8775). On seeing the flash of light, he starts a timer and listens for the bell. This work won an 1827 prize from the French Academy of Sciences. Artwork from the 4th volume (second period of 1889) of the French popular science weekly La Science Illustree
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Media ID 9200249
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1820s 1826 1880s 1889 Annual Volume Apparatus Aural Boat Experiment French French Academy Of Sciences Hear Hearing La Science Illustree Lake Listen Listening Louis Figuier Magazine Observer Physicist Popular Science Receiver Researcher Scientist Sound Speed Of Sound Swiss Switzerland Timing Underwater Weekly Ear Trumpet Lake Geneva Physical
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This artwork captures a significant moment in the history of scientific exploration. In 1826, on the serene waters of Lake Geneva, Swiss physicist Daniel Colladon conducted an experiment to measure the speed of sound in water. The observer depicted in this illustration stands attentively on the shore, his ear trumpet at hand, as he awaits the ignition of flammable powder and the striking of an underwater bell. As soon as he sees the flash of light, our dedicated listener starts a timer and strains his ears for even the faintest sound. This groundbreaking experiment earned Colladon recognition from the prestigious French Academy of Sciences in 1827. The artist skillfully transports us back to that era with their meticulous attention to detail and monochrome palette. We can almost feel ourselves standing beside this curious scientist, sharing in his excitement and anticipation. This artwork is part of La Science Illustree's fourth volume from 1889 – a popular science weekly that aimed to bring cutting-edge discoveries into homes across Europe. It serves as a reminder not only of humanity's relentless pursuit for knowledge but also how far we have come technologically since those early days. Let this image be a testament to human ingenuity and curiosity – forever capturing one man's quest to unravel nature's mysteries through experimentation and observation.
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