Abstract
The three physicists, Count Rumford, Biot and Fourier, almost simultaneously made experimental researches on heat conduction in solid This comparative study of their researches sheds light on the significance of Fourier's.
Fourier's theoretical originality is that he first paid attention to heat diffusion in solid and soon comprehended its law by the notion, "mode elementaire" based on Fourier's series. Although Fourier confirmed the law later by the experiment on annulus, his early research had been so mathematical, that he had not been able to grasp its physical aspects sufficientlly. Rumford's and Biot's works must have prompted Fourier not only to pay attention to steady thermal state in bar, but also to set with experimental researches. Although Fourier may have owed his theoretical success to Biot, it is Fourier that thought out hydrodynamical approach to thermal phenomena prior to the accomplishment of the mechanics of continuum and completed the concept of temperature gradient and the differential equation of heat conduction. Noticeable as well is that all these theoretical achievements based on the results of his fine experiments, conducted with both technical skill and refined methodology, which were much superior to those of Rumford and Biot. Also in relation to the partial validity of Newton's cooling law, he had a clear insight into the interaction between "Experiment and Theory".
Therefore I concluded that Fourier was a better experimentalist in his time, compared with Rumford and Biot, in other words it is not proper to consider Fourier's study of heat conduction only as a mathematical and theoretical one.
