The silver-plated mirrors of the Historical Collection of Physics Instruments of Palermo University

TL;DR

This paper describes three historically significant physics mirrors from Palermo University, detailing their characteristics, historical context, and restoration efforts, highlighting their educational and scientific importance.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of three historical mirrors, including their origins, technical features, and preservation, enriching the understanding of historical physics instruments.

Findings

Identification of the mirrors' historical periods

Descriptions of their technical features

Restoration and preservation insights

Abstract

In the paper we will describe three instruments of particular historical and didactic interest belonging to the Historical Collection of Physics Instruments of Palermo University: a convex mirror most likely dating back to the early nineteenth century and a pair of burning mirrors most likely dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. After an introduction on the historical development of mirrors and on their principle of operation, we will describe the characteristics of the instruments of the collection and the interventions carried out.