Baltimore Lectures on Molecular Dynamics and the Wave Theory of Light

Front Cover
Cambridge University Press, 2010 M05 20 - 732 pages
The mathematical physicist and engineer William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824-1904) is best known for devising the Kelvin scale of absolute temperature and for his work on the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The lectures in this collection demonstrate an attempt by Baron Kelvin to formulate a physical model for the existence of ether. This concept of a medium for light propagation became prominent in the late nineteenth century, arising from the combination of Maxwell's equations stating that light is an electromagnetic wave with the demands of Newtonian physics that light must move in a unique reference frame. First published in 1904, Kelvin's lectures describe the difficulties inherent in this model. These problems with the concept of ether are credited for inspiring Einstein to devise the theory of special relativity and the photoelectric effect, both of which are central to modern physics.
 

Contents

LECTURE I
5
Direction of the vibrations in polarized light Dynamical theory
14
Molar Dynamics of elastic solid James Thomsons radian General
22
Part II
28
Part II
38
LECTURE V
46
Molar Vibrations of air around a tuning fork continued
52
LECTURE VI
61
Molar Dynamical theory of adamantinism imaginary velocity of con
415
Molecular Chiral rotation of the plane of polarization Electroetherial
436
Molar Formulas expressing chiral inertia in wavemotion given also
445
APPENDIX
468
Absolute orbits of ten particles of ether disturbed by a moving
475
Kinetic energy of the ether within a moving atom extra inertia
481
The motion of ponderable matter through ether
486
WaterstonianMaxwellian distribution of energies
493

Molecular Vibrations of serial molecule Lagrange algorithm of finite
69
Molar Solutions for distortional waves Rotational oscillation in origin
80
Molecular Sudden and gradual commencements of vibration fluorescence
90
Molecular Problem of seven vibrating particles Dynamical explanation
106
Molecular Difficulties regarding polarization by reflection double refraction
117
Molar Anisotropy rejected aeolotropy suggested by Prof Lushington
125
Molar Three sets of plane waves with fronts parallel to one plane wave
135
Part II
146
LECTURE XIII
163
Molecular Application of Sellmeiers dynamical theory to the dark lines
176
LECTURE XIV
185
Molar Rates of transmitting energy outwards by the two waves 211214
211
Molecular Model vibrator excitation of synchronous vibrators in molecule
220
LECTURE XVIII
255
LECTURE XVI
262
Eeflection op Light
263
LECTURE XVII
279
Molar Refraction in opaque substances Translucence of metallic films
324
Molar Errors in construction of Fresnels rhomb determined
393
LECTURE XIX
408
Dynamical testcases for the B M doctrine reflections of ball
504
doctrine applied to the equilibrium of a tall column of
524
Ether is gravitationless matter filling all space Total amount
532
APPENDIX
541
Stable equilibrium of several electrions in an atom Exhaustion
551
Electrionic explanation of pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity
559
APPENDIX
569
Interior melting of ice James Thomsons physical theory
579
APPENDIX
584
The influence of frictionless wind on waves in friction
590
Waves under motive power of gravity and cohesion
598
Homogeneous assemblage of bodies theorem of Bravais Thirteen
609
Different qualities on two parallel sides of a crystal oppositely
622
Ternary tactics in lateral and terminal faces of quartz
637
APPENDIX I
643
Single assemblage in simple cubic order Equilateral assemblage
661
Stabilities of monatomic and diatomic assemblages stability
671
APPENDIX
681
APPENDIX L
688

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