Baltimore Lectures on Molecular Dynamics and the Wave Theory of LightCambridge 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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Common terms and phrases
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