Hertz's study of propagation vs. Rutherford's study of structure

two modes of experimentation and their theoretical underpinnings

Giora Hon

pp. 59-72

in: Davis Baird, Hughes, Alfred Nordmann (eds), Heinrich Hertz, Berlin, Springer, 1998

Abstract

Hertz's experimental studies are essentially studies of propagation. They were carried out in a rich theoretical context with a view to judging which of the competing theories was the correct one. The principal theoretical difficulty was to formulate the most appropriate problem amenable to experimental testing, given the sensitivity of the available instruments. I argue that Hertz abstracted from this experience the philosophical principles which he presented in the Introduction to his Principles of Mechanics.