Skip to main content

Regular Twists: Replicating Coulomb’s Wire-Torsion Experiments

Abstract.

I discuss our replication of the wire-torsion experiments that Charles Augustin Coulomb (1736–1806) reported in a session of the Paris Académie des Sciences in 1784. I first explain the nature and purpose of the replication method and then apply it to an analysis of Coulomb’s experiments. I conclude by placing Coulomb’s presentation of his memoir into its specific historical contest.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Heering.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Heering, P. Regular Twists: Replicating Coulomb’s Wire-Torsion Experiments. Phys. perspect. 8, 52–63 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-005-0262-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-005-0262-2

Keywords.

  • Charles Augustin Coulomb
  • Marquis de Condorcet
  • Paris Académie des Sciences
  • replication method
  • torsion experiment
  • damped oscillations
  • mesmerism