Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Electrostatics" to "Engis" / Volume 9, Slice 3

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

35169

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Electrostatics" to "Engis" / Volume 9, Slice 3

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume from the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica offers concise, authoritative entries on a diverse array of subjects, ranging from the scientific principles of electrostatics and the history of engineering to archaeological findings at the Engis cave. Written by various experts, the text provides clear definitions, experimental descriptions, and historical analysis, serving as a reliable reference for general knowledge and specific technical details.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume 9, Slice 3 of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, presents a diverse collection of articles spanning physics, history, and anthropology. The section on Electrostatics introduces the phenomena of electricity at rest, utilizing simple experiments with ebonite, glass, and metal to demonstrate concepts such as positive and negative charges, electric fields, and the distinction between conductors and insulators. Grounded in the work of scientists like Cavendish and Coulomb, the text defines units within the C.G.S. system and explains electric force and dielectric constants, noting that charge resides in the surrounding dielectric rather than solely on conductors. The volume also details the evolution of engineering, distinguishing between military and civil branches. Military engineering traces its history from ancient times through the 18th century, highlighting the separation of artillery and engineering roles in the British army and the development of specialized corps in France and the United States. Civil engineering is defined as the art of directing natural power for human convenience, focusing on infrastructure like roads and bridges, while mechanical and mining engineering emerge as distinct specializations. Historical entries explore the nature of the Carolingian and Holy Roman Empires, analyzing the political and ecclesiastical dynamics following Charlemagne's coronation. The text examines the relationship between the Western and Eastern empires, the papacy's role in preserving the imperial office, and the eventual fragmentation of the Frankish realm into distinct nations. It discusses how the Empire survived as an office despite the dissolution of Charlemagne's realm, eventually evolving into the Holy Roman Empire under Otto I. Finally, the volume provides an anthropological account of the Engis cave in Belgium. It describes the discovery of the 'Engis Skull' by Dr. P.C. Schmerling in 1832, which was found in association with extinct megafauna like the cave-bear and mammoth. The skull, exhibiting characteristics of both high and low development, sparked debate regarding the age of early humans and their contemporaneity with these extinct species, though the great age of the remains remains undisputed.

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• Encyclopedias and dictionaries