[KSCI] Korea Science Citation Index Service

http://dx.doi.org/10.7776/ASK.2012.31.4.253

Resources for Success in Experiment: Goldingham's Measurement of the Velocity of Sound

Ku, Ja-Hyon (Youngsan University)

Publication Information

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea / v.31, no.4, 2012 , pp. 253-259 More about this Journal

Abstract

Goldingham's measurement of the velocity of sound undertaken in the early nineteenth century was the first large-scale measuring enterprise which considered various meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, the direction of the wind, etc. Goldingham's successful performance of measuring the velocity of sound by employing the sounds of cannons as sound source in Madras (now Chennai), a colonial region of India, for one and a half years was supported by material, institutional and social resources. As the official astronomer at the Madras Observatory, he was benefitted by the undemanding employment of accurate measuring instruments under the support of the Madras Army enabled him to gain reliable data and his reputation as professional experimentalist facilitated the acknowledgment of their trustworthiness.

Keywords

Goldingham; Velocity of sound; Measurement; Experiment; Instrument; Reliability;

Citations & Related Records

Reference

1	J. Goldingham, "Experiments for ascertaining the velocity of sound at madras in the east indies," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 113, pp. 98-139, 1823.
2	M. H. Edney, Mapping an Empire: the geographical construction of british india,1765-1843, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1997.
3	J. Goldingham "Observations for ascertaining the length of the pendulum at madras," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 112, pp. 127-170, 1822. DOI
4	J. Goldingham, "Of the geographical situation of the three presidencies: calcutta, Madras, and Bombay," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 112, pp. 431-436, 1822. DOI
5	J. Goldingham, "Experiments for ascertaining the velocity of sound at madras in the east indies," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 113, pp. 112-115, 1823.
6	J. Goldingham, "Experiments for ascertaining the velocity of sound at madras in the east indies," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 113, pp. 102-105, 1823.
7	J. Goldingham, "Experiments for ascertaining the velocity of sound at madras in the east indies," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 113, pp. 111, 1823.
8	A. Ben-Menahem, Historical encyclopedia of natural and mathematical sciences, Springer, New York, 2009.
9	F. V. Hunt, Origins in acoustics: the science of sound from antiquity to the age of newton, Acoustical Society of America, New York, 1992.
10	D. A. Bohn, "Environmental effects on the speed of sound," The Journal of Audio Engineering Society vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 223-231, 1988.
11	R. B. Lindsay, "Historical introduction," in J. W. S. Rayleigh, The Theory of Sound, Dover, New York, 1954.
12	T. D. Rossing, Springer handbook of acoustics, Springer, New York, 2007.
13	D. R. Raichel, The science and applications of acoustics, Springer, New York, 2006.
14	P. C. Agarwal and S. K. Sinha, Elements of physics XI, Rakeshi Kumar, New Delhi, 2008.
15	J. W. S. Rayleigh, The theory of sound, Dover, New York, 1945.