Glass of the class called Prince Rupert Drops exhibits another striking
property. Let the small point be broken, and the whole flies with a
shock into powder. Writers have endeavored to solve the philosophy of
this phenomenon; some by attributing it to percussion putting in motion
some subtle fluid with which the essential substance of glass is
permeated, and thus the attraction of cohesion being overcome. Some
denominate the fluid electricity, and assert that it exists in glass in
great quantities, and is capable of breaking glass when well annealed.
These writers do not appear to have formed any conclusion satisfactory
to themselves, and fail to afford any well-defined solution to the
mystery.
Another phenomenon in connection with glass tubes is recorded in the
"Philosophical Transactions," No. 476:--
"Place a tube, say two feet long, before a fire, in a horizontal
position, having the position properly supported, say by putting in a
cork at each end supported by pins for an axis; the rod will acquire a
rotary motion round the axis, and also a progressive motion towards the
fire, even if the supporters are declined from the fire. When the
progressive motion of the tube towards the fire is stopped by any
obstacle, the rotation is still continued. When the tubes are placed in
nearly an upright position, leaning to the right hand, the motion will
be from east to west; but if they lean to the left hand, their motion
will be from west to east; and the nearer they are placed to an upright
position the less will be their motion either way. If the tubes be
placed on a sheet of glass, instead of moving towards the fire they
will move from it, and about the axis in a contrary direction from what
they did before; nay, they will recede from the fire, and move a little
upwards when the plane inclines towards the fire."
Glass is used for pendulums, as not being subject to affections from
heat or cold. It is, as is well known, a non-conductor. No metallic
condenser possesses an equal power with one of glass. In summer, when
moisture fails to collect on a metallic surface, open glass will gather
it on the exterior; the slightest breath of air evidently affecting the
glass with moisture. Dew will affect the surface of glass while
apparently uninfluential upon other surfaces.
The properties of so-called "musical glasses" are strikingly singular.
Glass bowls, partly filled with water, in various quantity, will, as is
well known, emit musical sounds, varying with the thickness of their
edges or lips. When rubbed, too, with a wet finger, gently, the water
in the glass is plainly seen to tremble and vibrate.
Bells manufactured of glass have been found the clearest and most
sonorous; the vibration of sound extending to a greater degree than in
metallic bells.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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