Plücker tube
Datecirca 1870
Inventory NumberDW0207c
ClassificationDischarge Tube
Subject
Cultural Region
Dimensions3.6 x 35.2 x 3.8 cm (1 7/16 x 13 7/8 x 1 1/2 in.)
blue board box: 8.9 × 45.7 × 55.9 cm (3 1/2 × 18 × 22 in.)
blue board box: 8.9 × 45.7 × 55.9 cm (3 1/2 × 18 × 22 in.)
Material
Accessoriesone of a group of three tubes (a,b,c)
DescriptionOne of three identical ones.
From Card: "Electric discharge tubes with fine capillary tube terminated by two bulbs and electrodes. From eached end is a long tube probably for introduction of gases. These may possibly be unused."
From Card: "Electric discharge tubes with fine capillary tube terminated by two bulbs and electrodes. From eached end is a long tube probably for introduction of gases. These may possibly be unused."
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksThis was found in a box with other tubes; the storage dimensions are that of its individual wrapping, while those of the box are: 46.7 (length) x 33.3 (width) x 33.6 (height). The dimensions of the instrument are either conversions from the cards or approximations.
FunctionPlücker tubes are a form of discharge tube in which the two cathodes are separated by a narrow capillary. When voltage is applied in the presence of a gas, a discharge propagates through the capillary, with a color characteristic of the gas in the tube.
The characteristic glow of the gases in Plücker tubes formed the basis of the field of specteroscopy.
This particular tube has two very long spiked tubes extending outwards, which indicates that they haven't been prepared with a gas, for which the long tubes would be broken and then sealed.
The characteristic glow of the gases in Plücker tubes formed the basis of the field of specteroscopy.
This particular tube has two very long spiked tubes extending outwards, which indicates that they haven't been prepared with a gas, for which the long tubes would be broken and then sealed.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roux-Devillas Paris, May 14, 1966 (lot 5/56).
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: one of a group of three tubes (a,b,c)
Object number: DW0207a
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: one of a group of three tubes (a,b,c)
Object number: DW0207b
Air Reduction Company Inc.
Date: circa 1912
Accessories: instruction sheet in file
Object number: RS0719
American
Date: circa 1929
Accessories: stored in a brown cardboard box.
Object number: 1998-1-1543
French
Date: circa 1865
Accessories: base (DW0204b)
Object number: DW0204a
Date: ca. 1860-1910
Accessories: has base (DW0200b)
Object number: DW0200a
See also/See also
