[Logo] PHYSICS IN AUSTRALIA TO 1945

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WWW edition prepared by Tim Sherrat and Victoria Young for Bright Sparcs, June 1995


LABY, Thomas Howell

Born Creswick, Victoria, 3 May 1880; died Melbourne 21 June 1946. Education, Sydney University (1901-05) and Cambridge University (B.A. 1907, Sc.D. 1921). Demonstrator in chemistry, Sydney University, 1901-05. 1851 Exhibition scholar, 1905-08. Professor of physics, Victorian University College, Wellington, New Zealand, 1909-15. Professor of natural philosophy, University of Melbourne, 1915-44. Commonwealth Adviser on Radium, 1929-37. Consulting physicist, Imperial Geophysical Experimental Survey, 1929-31. Chairman, Optical Munitions Panel, 1940-44. First President, Australian Branch of the Institute of Physics, 1939-41. F.R.S. 1931.
  1. (With E.H. Gurney) Analyses of commercial fertilisers obtainable in New South Wales. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, 11 (1900), 290-294.
  2. (With F.B. Guthrie) Analyses of commercial fertilisers in N.S.W. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, 12 (1901), 467-472.
  3. The separation of iron from nickel and cobalt by lead oxide (Field's method). Royal Society of New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings., 37 (1903), 157-164; (Abstract) Chemical News, 88 (1903), 232-233.
  4. (With D. Mawson) Preliminary observations on radio-activity and the occurrence of radium in Australian minerals. Royal Society of New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings., 38 (1904), 382-389; Chemical News, 92 (1905), 39-41.
  5. Radioactivity and the electron theory of matter. Australian Technical Journal, 9 (1904-05), 257-261.
  6. (With G.A. Carse) On a relation between the velocity and the volume of the ions of certain organic acids and bases. Cambridge Philosophical Society. Proceedings., 13 (1906), 288-295.
  7. (With G.A. Carse) A relation between the velocity and volume of organic ions in aqueous solutions. Cambridge Philosophical Society. Proceedings., 14 (1907), 1-12.
  8. The total ionisation of various gases by the alpha -rays of uranium. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 79 (1907), 206-219; Le Radium, 4(7) (1907), 253-258.
  9. Landolt's experiments on change of weight in chemical transformation. Chemical News, 97 (1908), 1-3.
  10. The supersaturation and nuclear condensation of certain organic vapours. Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions., A, 208 (1908), 445-474; (Abstract) Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 81 (1908), 219-220; (Abreviated version) Nature, 78 (1908), 439-440.
  11. A recalculation of the vapour pressure of mercury. Philosophical Magazine, S.6., 16 (1908), 789-796.
  12. (With G.W.C. Kaye) Gaseous ionization and pressure. Philosophical Magazine, S.6, 16 (1908), 879-889.
  13. A string electrometer. Cambridge Philosophical Society. Proceedings., 15 (1909), 106-113.
  14. On a pitchblende probably occurring in New South Wales. Royal Society of New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings., 43 (1909), 28-33.
  15. Tables des constantes de l'ionisation et de la radioactivité. Le Radium, 7(7) (1910), 189-196.
  16. Some recent advances in physics. Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. Report of Meeting., 13 (Sydney, 1911), 19-29; reprinted in part as 'The age of the Earth', Nature, 88 (1912), 334-336.
  17. (With P. Burbidge) The nature of gamma rays. Nature, 87 (1911), 144.
  18. (With P. Burbidge) The nature of gamma rays. New Zealand Institute. Transactions and Proceedings., 44 (1911), 30-31.
  19. (With P. Burbidge) The observation by means of a string electrometer of fluctuations in the ionisation produced by gamma-rays. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 86 (1912), 333-348.
  20. The Dominions and the War. In Berry, J.A., and Strong, A.T., eds., University of Melbourne. Public Lectures on the War. Melbourne: George Robertson & Co., n.d. (1915?). pp.173-184.
  21. (With N.C.B. Allen) The sensitiveness of photographic plates to x-rays. Royal Society of Victoria. Proceedings., 31 (1918-19), 421-430; (Abstract) Nature, 103 (1919), 177.
  22. (With E.O. Hercus) The thermal conductivity of air. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 95 (1919), 190-210.
  23. (With J.K. Roberts) A new method of determining the mechanical equivalent of heat. Royal Society of Victoria. Proceedings., 32 (1919-20), 148-155.
  24. [Contribution to a discussion of radiology]. Röntgen Society, London. Journal, 16 (April 1920), 66-68.
  25. (With E.O. Hercus) Notes on colloidal state, the measurement of blood pressure, conservation of energy in the human body. Melbourne: Ford & Sons, 1921. 24pp.
  26. (With W. Mepham) The isotopes of mercury. Nature, 109 (1922), 206-207.
  27. The mechanical equivalent of heat. Design of special apparatus. Commonwealth Engineer, 10 (1923), 279-284.
  28. The mechanical equivalent of heat. Nature, 111 (1923), 877-878.
  29. A standard barometer of new design. Journal of Scientific Instruments, 1 (1924), 342-345.
  30. (With J. Aberdeen) Heat insulators. Commonwealth Engineer, 13 (1926), 486.
  31. Critical discussion of the determinations of the mechanical equivalent of heat. Physical Society, London. Proceedings., 38 (1925-26), 169-172.
  32. (With J. Aberdeen) Conduction of heat through powders and its dependence on the pressure and conductivity of the gaseous phase. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 113 (1926), 459-477.
  33. (With E.O. Hercus) The thermal conductivity of gases. Philosophical Magazine, S.7, 3 (1927), 1061-1064.
  34. (With E.O. Hercus) The mechanical equivalent of heat. Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions., A, 227 (1927-28), 63-91.
  35. Recent investigations in x-rays. Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. Report of Meeting., 19 (Hobart, 1928), 111-123.
  36. (With J. Shearer and R. Bingham) The reflection of x-rays from glass and quartz. Nature, 122 (1928), 96-97.
  37. (With W.G. Kannuluik) The thermal and the electrical conductivity of a copper crystal at various temperatures. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 121 (1928), 640-653.
  38. Introduction. In Static and Fading Tests. Melbourne: Broadcasting Company of Australia, (1928?). pp.2-5.
  39. (With R. Bingham and J. Shearer) Note on the reflection of x-rays from glass and quartz. Royal Society of Victoria. Proceedings., 41 (1928-29), 55-58.
  40. A university for the Commonwealth. Australian Quarterly, No.1 (March 1929), 32-42.
  41. (With C.E. Eddy and A.H. Turner) Analysis by x-ray spectroscopy. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 124 (1929), 249-268.
  42. (With E.O. Hercus) Mechanical equivalent of heat. In International Critical Tables. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., 1929. Vol. 5, p.78.
  43. (With E.A. Nelson) Thermal conductivity: gases and vapors. In International Critical Tables. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., 1929. Vol. 5, pp.213-215.
  44. (With C.E. Eddy) Quantitative analysis by x-rays. Nature, 125 (1930), 524-525.
  45. (With C.E. Eddy) Quantitative analysis by x-ray spectroscopy. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 127 (1930), 20-42.
  46. Quantitative analysis by x-rays. Nature, 125 (1930), 818.
  47. Atomic analysis by x-ray spectroscopy. Faraday Society, London. Transactions., (June 1930), 497-509.
  48. (With R. Bingham) The wave-length of x-rays. Nature, 126 (1930), 915-916.
  49. The causes of the economic depression. Australian Quarterly, No.9 (March 1931), 50-59.
  50. Measurement of x-ray dosage. Report of the 2nd Australian Cancer Conference, (1931), 41-42; Sydney. University. Cancer Research Committee. Journal., 3 (1931), 83-85.
  51. (With R.T.W. Bingham) The reflection and diffraction of x-rays. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 133 (1931), 274-291.
  52. (With C.E. Eddy) Quantitative analysis of alloys by x-ray spectroscopy. Journal of Physical Chemistry, 35 (1931), 3635-3638.
  53. (With C.E. Eddy) The sensitivity of atomic analysis by x-rays. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 135 (1932), 637-656.
  54. Geophysical prospecting. Nature, 129 (1932), 579.
  55. Science and the Depression. Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. Report of the Meeting., 21 (Sydney, 1932), 432-435.
  56. Measurement of potential in the excitation of x-rays. Report of the 4th Australian Cancer Conference, (1933), 54-56.
  57. Science and the economic depression. Australian Quarterly, No.18 (June 1933), 80-91.
  58. The need for a physical research service in relation to x-ray and radium therapy. Report of the 5th Australian Cancer Conference, (1934), 37-39.
  59. The thermal conductivity of air. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 144 (1934), 494-495.
  60. (With J.N. Greenwood) Walter Rosenhain, 1875-1934. Melbourne: Ford & Son, n.d. (1934?). 5pp.
  61. (With L.H. Martin and J.C. Bower) Ionization in gases by x-rays as shown by expansion chamber observations. Sydney. University. Cancer Research Committee. Journal., 6 (1934), 131-143.
  62. (With L.H. Martin and J.C. Bower) Auger effect in argon. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 148 (1935), 40-46.
  63. (Abstract) Wireless observations and weather. Radio Review of Australia, (February 1935), 22.
  64. The essentials for scientific accuracy in x-ray and gamma-ray (radium) measurements. Report of the 6th Australian Cancer Conference., (1935), 46-47; Sydney. University. Cancer Research Committee. Journal., 7 (1935), 55-58.
  65. (With W.N. Christiansen and R.W. Crabtree) Density of light water: Ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in rain-water. Nature, 135 (1935), 870.
  66. (With E.O. Hercus) The effect of the aeration of the water used in the determination of the mechanical equivalent of heat. Physical Society, London. Proceedings., 47 (1935), 1003-1008.
  67. Measurement of the thermal conductivity of gases. Nature, 137 (1936), 741.
  68. [Contribution to 'Discussion on thunderstorm researches']. Royal Meteorological Society. Quarterly Journal., 62 (1936), 507-516, 525-527.
  69. (With F.G. Nicholls, A.F.B. Nickson and H.C. Webster) Reflection of atmospherics at an ionized layer. Nature, 139 (1937), 837-838.
  70. Lord Rutherfordied Australian National Review, 3 (January 1938), 13-24; reprinted in pamphlet form, Christchurch/Melbourne, Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., 1944. 16pp.
  71. (With F.G. Nicholls, A.F.B. Nickson and J.J. McNeill) Reflection of atmospherics by the ionosphere. Nature, 142 (1938), 353-354.
  72. (With V.D. Hopper) The electronic charge. Nature, 143 (1939), 157-158.
  73. (With V.D. Hopper) A novel thermostat. Nature, 143 (1939), 240.
  74. (With J.J. McNeill, F.G. Nicholls and A.F.B. Nickson) Wave form, energy and reflexion by the ionosphere, of atmospherics. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 174 (1940), 145-163.
  75. (With V.D. Hopper) The electronic charge. Nature, 145 (1940), 932-933.
  76. (With V.D. Hopper) The electronic charge. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A, 178 (1941), 243-272.
  77. [Introduction to V.D. Hopper's 'Thermostats employing external surface control']. Physical Society, London. Proceedings., 54 (1942), 55-57.
  78. Measurement of electronic charge. Oil drop method. Nature, 150 (1942), 648-649.
  79. (Edited with T.A. Hunter and G.W. von Zedlitz) University reform in New Zealand Wellington: Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., 1911. 196pp.
  80. (With G.W.C. Kaye) Tables of physical and chemical constants and some mathematical functions. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1911. 153pp. Spanish translation by B. Oliver y Román, Tablas de constantes fisicas y quimicas y de varias funciones matemáticas (Madrid: Libr. de E. Dossat, 1913), 153pp. 2nd English edition 1916. 3rd edition 1918. 4th edition 1921. 5th edition 1926. 6th edition 1928. 7th edition 1932. 8th edition 1936. 9th edition 1941. 36pp. extract published separately as Four-figure mathematical tables (London: Longmans Green & Co., 1925; first Australian edition 1943)
  81. (Edited with A.B. Broughton Edge) The principles and practice of geophysical prospecting: being the report of the Imperial Geophysical Experimental Survey. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1931. xiv + 372pp.


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