Referee's report by Charles Chree, on a paper 'Some experiments in magnetism' by T C Porter

Description

Sectional Committee: [Physics and Chemistry]

No clear statement regarding publication. Notes the paper deals with two distinct subjects. The first four pages deal with the action or absence of action of powerful magnetic fields on the growth and orientation of crystals. Experience seems to have convinced the author that in the majority of instances the results observed were not due to the magnetic field. The photographs showing the small crystals help to explain Porter's remarks but would hardly assist the reader to form a judgement for himself and the paper does not go into details which would be of much service to anyone else repeating the experiments. Imagines the author's object with this paper was to put his results on record with the hope that he may find time in the future to carry the investigation to a definite conclusion. Details three criticisms of this section of the paper. The second part of Porter's paper, pages five to ten, deals with the artificial production of magnets in several ways. Chree is not sure that this can be regarded as altogether novel. It is well known that even the earth's field suffices to magnetise bricks when cooling. Folgheraiter has written a lot on this subject in the 'Atti Acc. Lincei'. On page six Porter gives some rather remarkable data as to difference in density of sulphide tubes according to whether they were or were not in a strong magnetic field when 'fired'. Thinks it desirable such data should be confirmed before any publication of figures. Later experiments relate to magnets formed from a magnetic oxide in a shallow groove on a charcoal block. These experiments are interesting in their way but the author does not seem to deduce from them any novel principles though they might present points of interest to chemists which do not suggest themselves to a physicist. The general impression the paper leaves is that nothing is worked out and that a variety of half finished results are presented whose ultimate value remains to be seen.

[Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1904].

Endorsed on verso as received 17 November 1903.

Reference number

RR/16/92

Earliest possible date

November 1903

Physical description

Letter on paper

Page extent

4 pages

Format

Manuscript