Magnetic field effects and dualistic theory of metallic conduction in Italy (1911-1926): cultural heritage, creativity, epistemological beliefs, and national scientific community†
Authors: Galdabini, Silvana1; Giuliani, Giuseppe2
Source: Annals of Science, Volume 48, Number 1, January 1991 , pp. 21-37(17)
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd
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Abstract:
The development of researches on thermo- and galvanomagnetic effects in Italy between 1911 and 1926 has been studied by taking into account several factors: a partial isolation of the Italian physics community; its delay in adopting the microscopic and statistical approach to the conduction properties of metals; a choice of a dualistic theory of conduction (based on two charge carriers) in a context of a predominance of theories in which the only mobile carrier was the electron; and an epistemological stand that considered the theory-experiment relation more relevant than the theory's compatibility with background knowledge.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1080/00033799100200111
Affiliations: 1: Gruppo Nazionale di Storia della Fisica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Unità di Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy 2: Dipartimento di Fisica `A. Volta', Università di Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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