Abstract
THE author, in the first paragraph of his preface, draws a distinction between the physical and mathematical points of view in treating the Science of Electricity. Unfortunately, the distinction is at present a real one. Many mathematicians, fascinated by the beauty of the instruments they handle, are disposed to treat physical problems as though the principal function of the universe were to suggest problems to the pure mathematician, instead of the principal function of the pure mathematician being to provide suitable tools for solving physical problems. On the other hand, there are skilful experimentalists who fail to appreciate those powerful methods of deductive quantitative reasoning which they are themselves unable to handle. Mr. Gordon does not profess to be a mathematician, and adopts the experimental point of view.
A Physical Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism.
By J. E. H. Gordon. (London: Sampson Low and Co., 1880.)
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
A Physical Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism . Nature 22, 263–264 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/022263a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/022263a0
