Kinnersley's Thermometer

Name/Title

Kinnersley's Thermometer

Entry/Object ID

2013.3.48

Description

An apparatus designed to show the expansion of air when an electric spark is passed through it. Probably bought by Dr. Peter from Pixii, Paris, in 1839 for 18 francs. Electrical-Air-Thermometer "is an instrument contrived by Mr. Kinnersley of Philadelphia for the purpose of observing the effects of electrization upon air, and with this instrument Mr. Kinnersley made several experiments which he describes in a letter to Dr. Franklin, dated March 12, 1761." This figure also shows Oersted's Apparatus (left) and Volta's Eudiometer (center).

Collection

Moosnick Museum - Scientific Apparatus