Baltimore Lectures on Molecular Dynamics and the Wave Theory of Light

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C.J. Clay and Sons, 1904 - 703 pages
 

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Page 430 - The only assumption which is necessary for the direct proof is that the system, if left to itself in its actual state of motion, will, sooner or later, pass through every phase which is consistent with the equation of energy.
Page 91 - It is evident that such a medium, on being agitated, would give out the note above mentioned; while, on the other hand, if that note were sounded in air at a distance, the incident vibrations would throw the strings into vibration, and consequently would themselves be gradually extinguished, since otherwise there would be a creation of vis viva. The optical application of this illustration is too obvious to need comment.
Page 505 - The explanation of all phenomena of electromagnetic attraction or repulsion, and of electromagnetic induction, is to be looked for simply in the inertia and pressure of the matter of which the motions constitute heat. Whether this matter is or is not electricity, whether it is a continuous fluid interpermeating the spaces between molecular nuclei, or is itself molecularly grouped ; or whether all matter is continuous, and molecular heterogeneousness consists in finite vortical or other relative motions...
Page 207 - What is the absolute density of the luminiferous ether in any part of space ? I am not aware of any attempt having hitherto been made to answer this question, and the present state of science does not in fact afford sufficient data. It has, however, occurred to me that we may assign an inferior limit to the density of the luminiferous medium in interplanetary space by considering the mechanical value of sunlight as deduced in preceding communications to the Royal Society [Art.
Page 505 - The magnetic influence on light discovered by Faraday depends on the direction of motion of moving particles. For instance, in a medium possessing it, particles in a straight line parallel to the lines of magnetic force, displaced to a helix round this line as axis, and then projected tangentially with such velocities as to describe circles, will have different velocities according as their motions are round in one direction (the same as the nominal direction of the galvanic current in the magnetizing...
Page 210 - ... and potential energy, of the disturbance in a certain space traversed by it; and from all we know of the mechanical theory of undulations, it seems certain that this velocity must be a very small fraction of the velocity of propagation in the most intense light or radiant heat which is propagated according to known laws. Denoting this velocity for the case of sunlight at the earth's distance from the sun by v, and calling W the mass in...
Page 594 - It is also wonderful how much towards explaining the crystallography and elasticity of solids, and the thermo-elastic properties of solids, liquids, and gases, we find without assuming more than one transition from attraction to repulsion.
Page 3 - In the first place we must not listen to any suggestion that we must look upon the luminiferous ether as an ideal way of putting the thing. A real matter between us and the remotest stars I believe there is, and that light consists of real motions of that matter, motions just such as are described by Fresnel and Young, motions in the way of transverse vibrations. If I knew what the...
Page 505 - ... only components of the whole motion ; and that a less luminiferous component in one direction, compounded with a motion existing in the medium when transmitting no light, gives an equal resultant to that of a greater luminiferous motion in the contrary direction compounded with the same non-luminous motion.
Page 593 - Boscovichian foundation for the elasticity of solids with no inter-molecular vibrations is the subject of §§ 62 — 71 below. A few preliminary remarks here may be useful. § 18. Every infinite homogeneous assemblage* of Boscovich atoms is in equilibrium. So, therefore, is every finite homogeneous assemblage, provided that extraneous forces be applied to all within influential distance of the frontier, equal to the forces which a homogeneous continuation of the assemblage through influential distance...

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