Coulomb

words: Marian McKenzie, 1-12

tune: Rave On, by Buddy Holly

Coulomb's torsion balance (image source unknown): attraction between q1 and q2 causes the fibre to twist. The amount of twist can be measured and used to determine the force between the charges. Because it takes very little force to twist the fibre, very small forces can be measured. In some cases, a wire is used instead of the fiber; that's what has been assumed for the song.

1. You sure knew how to make predictions
Laws of charge and torque and friction,
Coulomb, you were really beastly
You built on work by Priestley
And gave us      Coulomb's Law, yeah, Coulomb.

2. You're a famous name in electric power
Your name is on the- Eiffel Tow ow er,
Coulomb, you were really boss, 'n'
Your work was used by Poisson
To make his         magnetic theory, Coulomb.

Bridge:
Coulomb, when you got cooking,
You were really forward-looking,
That's why     we still know your name today.
Coulomb, you were really steering
The course of engineering
And physics, and everything. Yeah, Coulomb!

Charles Coulomb, 1736-1806

3. You took material science higher
Retaining walls and torque of wi eye ire
Coulomb, you're still a blast though
Two hundred years have passed and so
We still        sing about you, Coulomb.

[Repeat Bridge:}
Coulomb, when you got cooking,
You were really forward-looking,
That's why     we still know your name today.
Coulomb, you were really steering
The course of engineering
And physics, and everything. Yeah, Coulomb!

The names of 72 French scientist, mathematicians, and engineers are engraved on the Eiffel tower, including Coulomb's.