Lord Kelvin’s Clock

Synopsis

About thermodynamics and the irreversibility of time. Deals with Kelvin’s attempts to establish scientifically the age of the earth. Shows the importance of steam power to 19th-century science and introduces the first and second law of thermodynamics and the idea of entropy. Filmed in Kelvin’s house, in his classroom, at Largs and at Highhouse Colliery, Auchinleck.

Series

Science and Belief: From Darwin to Einstein, Course A381

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 22 min.

Year of production

1982

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Uses

1st-year courses in history of science/physics.*

Subjects

Physics

Keywords

Kelvin, William Thomson, Baron; steam power; thermodynamics; time

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk