Bergman studied seem to be lost.
7 Interestingly enough, the cause of the pyroelectricity of tourmalines is still, as of 2019, a matter of discussion [34]. In short,
the pyroelectricity can be correlated to the change in dipole moment of the coordination polyhedra along the crystallographic axes as a function of temperature.
Bergman did not only study the theoretical aspects of electricity, he also engaged
himself in a more practical aspect of the field: the design of lightning conductors.
This research is discussed in Sect. 6.3.
Fig. 5.4 Copper plate from Bergman’s paper on the electric properties of tourmalines, including
images of the now lost stones
7
In 1849, the Royal Academy transferred its mineral collection to the Museum of Natural History
in Stockholm; no stones corresponding to Bergman’s and Rinmans’ descriptions are found there.
66
5 Bergman’s Early Scientific Career
7 Interestingly enough, the cause of the pyroelectricity of tourmalines is still, as of 2019, a matter of discussion [34]. In short,
the pyroelectricity can be correlated to the change in dipole moment of the coordination polyhedra along the crystallographic axes as a function of temperature.
Bergman did not only study the theoretical aspects of electricity, he also engaged
himself in a more practical aspect of the field: the design of lightning conductors.
This research is discussed in Sect. 6.3.
Fig. 5.4 Copper plate from Bergman’s paper on the electric properties of tourmalines, including
images of the now lost stones
7
In 1849, the Royal Academy transferred its mineral collection to the Museum of Natural History
in Stockholm; no stones corresponding to Bergman’s and Rinmans’ descriptions are found there.
66
5 Bergman’s Early Scientific Career