Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2012
The experiments described in this paper were commenced with the view, not only of determining the absolute thermal conductivity of nickel, but also of comparing the results found by Forbes's and Ängstrom's methods for the same specimen. Although some readings were taken for Ängstrom's method, that part of the investigation was not completed, because it was found that the experimental errors — unavoidable, on account of the necessity of measuring rapidly changing temperatures—would be too great for the results to be of any value. The thermal conductivity of a portion of the bar of nickel used for Forbes's method was determined by a direct method involving the determination only of steady temperatures, and the results so obtained are given in the latter portion of this paper.