1827 (circuit treatise published) / Europe

Ohm gives circuit experiments a mathematical form

Ohm connected current measurements with mathematical analysis of the relationships now expressed through voltage, current and resistance.

Battery-resistor circuit and a straight-line voltage-current graph
Modern scientific illustrationModern teaching diagram: voltage is proportional to current for an ohmic resistor under fixed physical conditions. The circuit symbols and line are not from the 1827 book, and the linear relation does not apply to every component.CivAtlas · CivAtlas (original scientific diagram) · CC0 1.0 Universal Image credit & source

The story

After experiments and papers in 1825–1826, Ohm published The Galvanic Circuit Investigated Mathematically in 1827. Improved measurements and a steadier thermoelectric source helped compare conducting wires. The modern expression V=IR describes ohmic behaviour under appropriate conditions, not every component without qualification. Present-day terminology and electrical units were not all established by this book.

Connections and context

From Volta’s pile and Ørsted’s magnetic effect to quantitative circuit relationships, measurement and calculation gradually became more closely connected.

Dates and precision

1827 (circuit treatise published) Documented date

Positioned by the documented year, month or day. Missing precision is not inferred.

Representative map location

Berlin

Berlin marks the book’s publication and preparation; Ohm’s earlier current experiments are associated with his teaching in Cologne.

Representative coordinates · 52.52°, 13.405°

A marker identifies one representative place, such as a manuscript collection, laboratory or observing site. It does not mean the work happened only there, or assign a shared discovery to one country.

Bibliography

  • Science Museum Group: Georg Simon Ohm
  • G. S. Ohm: The Galvanic Circuit Investigated Mathematically, original work in English translation

References are listed as plain bibliography titles. They support particular facts or context; a reference does not certify every interpretation in a story.

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