Contact goniometer

Add to album

A contact goniometer is a device for measuring the inter-facial angles of crystals. (Crystals of the same material always have the same angles between crystal faces.) This example was made in France in the early 19th century.

The instrument (pictured in its leather case) consists of a brass protractor with adjustable steel arms to fit the angle between crystal faces, held together by a screw. The base of the protractor is engraved 'Pixii Neveu et Suc.eur de Dumotiez a Paris'.

French crystallographer, Rene Just Haiiy (1743-1822) proposed that the external appearance of the crystal's facets was a reflection of its internal structure. He used a contact goniometer of this type.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-746-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1979.4
• Date: Around 1825
  Early 19th century
  
• Material: Brass, steel arms. Inscription: Pixii Neveu et Suceur. de Dumotiez a Paris
  Goniometer
  
• Dimensions: 96 mm L x 96 mm D
  
• What: Goniometer
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS (Departmental Classification)
  19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Pixii Neveu et Suceur, Paris (Maker)
  
• Where: France, Paris
  
• Event:
• Description: Goniometer inscribed 'Pixii Neveu et Suc.eur de Dumotiez a Paris', early 19th century
  
• References:
  • For Pixii, see Daumas, M., Scientific Instruments of the 17th and 18th centuries and their Makers. London: 1972, pp 287-8 
  • Turner, G. L'E., Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments. London: 1983, pp 261-8 
• Translations:
• Related Records: