Adjustment of the Revolving Mirror.
The air entering on one side at O, Fig. 5, acquires a rotary motion in the box B, B, carrying the wheel with it, and this motion is assisted by the reaction of the air in escaping. The disc C serves the purpose of bringing the center of gravity in the axis of rotation. This was done, following Foucault's plan, by allowing the pivots to rest on two inclined planes of glass, allowing the arrangement to come to rest, and filing away the lowest part of the disc; trying again, and so on, till it would rest in indifferent equilibrium. The part corresponding to C, in Foucault's apparatus, was furnished with three vertical screws, by moving which the axis of figure was brought into coincidence with the axis of rotation. This adjustment was very troublesome. Fortunately, in this apparatus it was found to be unnecessary.
When the adjustment is perfect the apparatus revolves without giving any sound, and when this is accomplished, the motion is regular and the speed great. A slight deviation causes a sound due to the rattling of the pivots in the sockets, the speed is very much diminished, and the pivots begin to wear. In Foucault's apparatus oil was furnished to the pivots, through small holes running through the screws, by pressure of a column of mercury. In this apparatus it was found sufficient to touch the pivots occasionally with a drop of oil.
Fig. 7 is a view of the turbine, box, and supply-tube, from above. The quantity of air entering could be regulated by a valve to which was attached a cord leading to the observer's table.
The instrument was mounted on a brick pier.
The Micrometer.
The apparatus for measuring the deflection was made by Grunow, of New York.