XIII. On the specific heat of steam at atmospheric pressure between 104°C. and 115°C

Abstract

The conclusion of Mr. Brinkworth's experiments on the specific heat of steam at atmospheric pressure in the neighbourhood of 105°C. marks a definite stage in an investigation which has been in progress with varying success for the last twenty years. It may therefore be of interest to review the situation in the light of collateral evidence which has been accumulating from various quarters during the progress of the research. The investigation originated from some experiments undertaken in conjunction with the late Prof. J. T. Nicolson, at McGill College in 1895, “On the Law of Condensation of Steam” (published in Proc. Inst. C. E.,’ 1898), in the course of which it was necessary to observe repeatedly the wetness of the steam employed. The special form of throttling calorimeter, shown diagrammatically in fig. 1, was employed for this purpose. The sample of steam, taken from the steam-pipe, was throttled through a thin tube of small bore, in order to eliminate the error due to conduction of heat through the throttle, to which most forms of throttling calorimeter then in vogue were liable.