W. E. FORSYTHE
PREFACE TO THE NINTH REVISED EDITION
This edition of the Smithsonian Physical Tables consists of 901 tables giv-
ing data of general interest to scientists and engineers, and of particular inter-
est to those concerned with physics in its broader sense. The increase in size
over the Eighth Edition is due largely to new data on the subject of atomic
physics. The tables have been prepared and arranged so as to be convenient
and easy to use. The index has been extended. Each set of data given herein
has been selected from the best sources available. Whenever possible an expert
in each field has been consulted. This has entailed a great deal of correspond-
ence with many scientists, and it is a pleasure to add that, almost without
exception, all cooperated generously.
When work first started on this edition, Dr. E. U. Condon, then director of
the National Bureau of Standards, kindly consented to furnish any assistance
that the scientists of that institution were able to give. The extent of this help
can be noted from an inspection of the book. Dr. Wallace R. Brode, associate
director, National Bureau of Standards, gave valuable advice and constructive
criticism as to the arrangement of the tables.
D. H. Menzel and Edith Jenssen Tebo, Harvard University, Department of
Astronomy, collected and arranged practically all the tables on astronomy.
A number of experts prepared and arranged groups of related data, and
others either prepared one or two tables or furnished all or part of the data
for certain tables. Care has been taken in each case to give the names of those
responsible for both the data and the selection of it. A portion of the data was
taken from other published sources, always with the consent and approval of
the author and publisher of the tables consulted. Due credit has been given in
all instances. Very old references have been omitted. Anyone in need of these
should refer to the Eighth Edition.
It was our intention to mention in this preface the names of all who took part
in the work, but the list proved too long for the space available. We wish,
however, to express our appreciation and thanks to all the men and women
from various laboratories and institutions who have been so helpful in con-
tributing to this Ninth Edition.
Finally, we shall be grateful for criticism, the notification of errors, and
new data for use in reprints or a new edition.
Astrophysical Observatory
Smithsonian Institution
January 1951
CONTENTS
(For detailed breakdown of tables, see index.)
Temperature conversion table (Table 1).
Preface to the ninth revised edition
Introduction
Units of measurement.
Conversion factors and dimensional formulae
Some fundamental definitions (Table 2).
Part 1. Geometrical and mechanical units
Part 2. Heat units
Part 3. Electric and magnetic units
Fundamental standards (Table 3)
Part 1. Selection of fundamental quantities
Part 2. Some proposed systems of units.
Part 3. Electric and magnetic units ..
Part 4. The ordinary and the ampere-turn magnetic units
The new (1948) system of electrical units (Table 4)
Relative magnitude of the old international electrical units and the new 1948
absolute electrical units (Table 5) ..
Relative values of the three systems of electrical units (Table 6)
Conversion factors for units of energy (Table 7)
Former electrical equivalents (Table 8).
Some mathematical tables (Tables 9-15)
Treatment of experimental data (Tables 16-25)
General physical constants (Tables 26-28) ..
Common units of measurement (Tables 29-36) ..
Constants for temperature measurement (Tables 37-51)
The blackbody and its radiant energy (Tables 52-57)
Photometry (Tables 58-77)
Emissivities of a number of materials (Tables 78-84)
Characteristics of some light-source materials, and some light sources (Tables
85-102)
Cooling by radiation and convection (Tables 103-110).
Temperature characteristics of materials (Tables 111-125)
Changes in freezing and boiling points (Tables 126-129).
Heat flow and thermal conductivity (Tables 130-141)
Thermal expansion (Tables 142-146)
Specific heat (Tables 147-158)
Latent heat (Tables 159-164)
Thermal properties of saturated vapors (Tables 165-170)
Heats of combustion (Tables 171-183)
Physical and mechanical properties of materials (Tables 184-209)
Characteristics of some building materials (Tables 210-217)
Physical properties of leather (Tables 218-223).
Values of physical constants of different rubbers (Tables 224-229)
Characteristics of plastics (Tables 230-232)
Properties of fibers (Tables 233-236).
Properties of woods (Tables 237-240) ..
Temperature, pressure, volume, and weight relations of gases and vapors (Tables
241-253)
Thermal properties of gases (Tables 254-260)
The Joule-Thomson effect in fluids (Tables 261-267)
Compressibility (Tables 268-280)
Densities (Tables 281-295) ..
Velocity of sound (Tables 296-300)
Acoustics (Tables 301-310A) ..
Viscosity of fluids and solids (Tables 311-338)
Aeronautics (Tables 339-346A)
Diffusion, solubility, surface tension, and vapor pressure (Tables 347-369)
Various electrical characteristics of materials (Tables 370-406).
Electrolytics conduction (Tables 407-415) ..
Electrical and mechanical characteristics of wire (Tables 416-428)
Some characteristics of dielectrics (Tables 429-452)
Radio propagation data (Tables 453-465).
Magnetic properties of materials (Tables 466-494
Geomagnetism (Tables 495-512) ...
Magneto-optic effects (Tables 513-521)
Optical glass and optical crystals (Tables 522-555)
Tranimission of radiation (Tables 556-573) ..
Reflection and absorption of radiation (Tables 574-592)
Rotation of plane of polarized light (Tables 593-597)
Media for determinations of refractive indices with the microscope (Tahles
598-601)
Photngraphy (Tables 602-609)
Standard wavelengths and series relations in atomic spectra (Tables 610-625A)
The atmosphere (Tables 626-630).
Densities and bomidities of moist air (Tables 631-640)
The barometer (Tables 641-648).
Atmusgheric dectricity (Tables 649-653)
Atomic and molecular data (Tables 654-659)
Abondance of elements (Tables 660-668)
Collonds (Tables 669-682) ...
Electron emission (Tables 683-689)
Kinetic theory of gases (Tables 690-696)
Atomic and molecular dimensions (Tables 697-712)
Nuclear physics (Tables 713-730).
Radouctivity (Tabies 731-758)
X-rays (Tables 759-784)
Fission (Tables 785-793)
Cosmic rays (Tables 794-801)
Gravitation (Tables 802-807)
Solar radiation (Tables 808-824)
Astronomy and astrophysics (Tables 825-884)
Oceamograghy (Tahles 885-899)
The carth's rotation: its variation (Table 900)
General comversion factors (Table 901).
Index