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ART. 212 - An Attempt at a Quantitative Theory of the Telephone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2011

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Summary

The theory of the telephone cannot be said to be understood, in any but the most general manner, until it is possible to estimate from the data of construction what its sensitiveness should be, at least so far as to connect the magnitude of the vibratory current with the resulting condensations and rarefactions in the external ear-passage. Unfortunately such an estimate is a matter of extreme difficulty, partly on account of imperfection in our knowledge of the magnetic properties of iron, and partly from mathematical difficulties arising from the particular forms employed in actual construction; and indeed the problem does not appear to have been attacked hitherto. In view, however, of the doubts that have been expressed as to theory, and of the highly discrepant estimates of actual sensitiveness which have been put forward, it appears desirable to make the attempt. It will be understood that at present the question is as to the order of magnitude only, and that the result will not be without value should it prove to be 10 or even 100 times in error.

One of the elements required to be known, the number (n) of convolutions, cannot be directly observed in the case of a finished instrument; but it may be inferred with sufficient accuracy for the present purpose from the dimensions and the resistance of the coil.

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Scientific Papers , pp. 119 - 124
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2009
First published in: 1903

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