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Gilbert's De Magnete ("On the Magnet") was published in 1600 and quickly became the standard work throughout Europe on electrical and magnetic phenomena. Europeans were making long voyages across oceans, and the magnetic compass was one of the few instruments that could save them from being hopelessly (and usually fatally) lost. But little was known about the lodestone (magnetic iron ore) or magnetized iron. Gilbert tested many folk tales. Does garlic destroy the magnetic effect of the compass needle? More importantly, he made the first clear distinction between magnetic and the amber effect (static electricity, as we call it). De Magnete is a comprehensive review of what was known about the nature of magnetism, and Gilbert added much knowledge through his own experiments. He likened the polarity of the magnet to the polarity of the Earth and built an entire magnetic philosophy on this analogy. In Gilbert's animistic explanation, magnetism was the soul of the Earth and a perfectly spherical lodestone, when aligned with the Earth's poles, would spin on its axis, just as the Earth spins on its axis in 24 hours. (In traditional cosmology the Earth was fixed and it was the sphere of the fixed stars, carrying the other heavens with it, that rotated in 24 hours.) Gilbert did not, however, express an opinion as to whether this rotating Earth was at the center of the universe or in orbit around the Sun. Since the Copernican cosmology needed a new physics to undergird it, Copernicans such as Johannes Kepler and Galileo were very interested in Gilbert's magnetic researches. Galileo's efforts to make a truly powerful armed lodestone for his patrons probably date from his reading of Gilbert's book.

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βˆ™ 15y ago
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βˆ™ 12y ago

he discovered that if you rubbed rods of amber against furs it would make electricity.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

no

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Q: Did William Gilbert discover the principles of electricity?
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Related questions

Where did the word electricity come from?

It came from William Gilbert. As he was the first to discover anything about it. When I can't tell you but someone else will know.


When did William Gilbert discover?

1569 x


Who coined the term electricity?

the term electricity was coined by william gilbert...........................


What are the contributions of William Gilbert in the field of physics?

William Gilbert studied magnetism and electricity and he is credited as one of the originators of the term "electricity".


When William Gilbert discovered electricity?

1660, William Gilbert discovered the Earth's Magnetic Field..


What did William Gilbert do with electricity?

he found out about magnetism


What did William Gilbert discover about earth?

my mom siad so


Who coined term electricity?

The term "electricity" was coined by English scientist William Gilbert in the late 16th century. Gilbert is often referred to as the "Father of Electricity" for his pioneering work in studying the properties of various materials when rubbed or excited.


What famous person is refferrd to as the father of electricity?

William Gilbert


Who discovered electricity and how did they do it?

Ancient tribes in the Mediterranean discovered that rods of amber could be rubbed against furs to attract objects. However, William Gilbert first used the word electricity. Benjamin Franklin is said to be the father of electricity, but he did not discover its true nature.


Invention of William Gilbert?

William Gilbert was an English physicist and philosopher, author of the book 'De Magnete', he is also remembered as one of the creators of the term 'electricity', because he studied extensively the phenomena of electricity and magnetism.


What are names of scientists who invented electricity?

William Gilbert or William gilberd (they are the same person either way!)