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Contact goniometer

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made in France

Postcard of Contact goniometer.
000-100-102-746-C
© National Museums Scotland

Contact goniometer

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.


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Online ID: 000-100-102-746-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: 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
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 
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