Curated OER
The Founder of Electromagnetism
Students identify and study the founder of electromagnetism. In this magnetism instructional activity students complete several experiments including building a galvanometer.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: William Thomson, Lord Kelvin
William Thomson, known as Lord Kelvin, was one of the most eminent scientists of the nineteenth century and is best known today for inventing the international system of absolute temperature that bears his name. He made contributions to...
University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow: Kelvin Collection
This collection provides links to a variety of information about William Thomson (Lord) Calvin including rare books and an in-depth biography on the life and works of Lord Kelvin. Read about his childhood and education, his many...
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Kelvin Water Dropper
The legendary Lord Kelvin made electricity from water with this ingenious electrostatic generator. (Java tutorial)
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: William Thomson
This site from the University of St Andrews provides more than a dry series of facts about Lord Kelvin's life. It provides interesting anecdotal accounts which reveal the personality behind the man. Thorough, interesting, an abundance of...
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Kelvin Water Dropper Electrostatic Ht Generator
Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) developed electrostatic theory and a range of novel and interesting electrostatic apparatuses. Described here is a reconstruction of a water dropper electrostatic generator. It's capable of generating...
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Thomson Portraits
A University of St. Andrews page of several portraits of Lord Kelvin. Print out a few, hang them in your bedroom or your school locker and impress your friends!
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Mirror Galvanometer
Invented by William Thomson (who later became Lord Kelvin for such clever acts as this), the mirror galvanometer was a useful instrument that played a key role in the history of the telegraph. (Java tutorial)
Story Behind the Science
Story Behind the Science: Just How Old Is Earth? [Pdf]
Article describing efforts in the 19th and 20th centuries to determine the Earth's age, particularly using naturally occurring radioactivity. It notes that scientific disciplines frequently overlap in the work they do. Questions are...
Curated OER
University of St Andrews: William Thomson
This site from the University of St Andrews provides more than a dry series of facts about Lord Kelvin's life. It provides interesting anecdotal accounts which reveal the personality behind the man. Thorough, interesting, an abundance of...