Baltimore Lectures on Molecular Dynamics and the Wave Theory of LightThe 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
The wave theory of light molecular treatment by Fresnel | 5 |
Direction of the vibrations in polarized light Dynamical theory | 14 |
LECTURE II | 22 |
PART II | 28 |
Molar Dynamics of elastic solid Illustrative model for twentyone | 34 |
LECTURE IV | 41 |
LECTURE V | 52 |
LECTURE VI | 61 |
Molar Dynamical theory of adamantinism imaginary velocity of con | 415 |
Simplification of waves at great distance from origin | 434 |
Diagrams to illustrate motion of incompressible elastic solid | 450 |
APPENDIX | 468 |
Kinetic energy of the ether within a moving atom extra inertia | 485 |
xvii | 486 |
WaterstonianMaxwellian distribution of energies | 493 |
Statistics of reflections from corrugated boundary marlin spike | 517 |
Molecular Vibrations of serial molecule Lagrange algorithm of finite | 69 |
Molar Solutions for distortional waves Rotational oscillation in origin | 80 |
LECTURE IX | 94 |
LECTURE X | 108 |
Molecular Difficulties regarding polarization by reflection double refraction | 117 |
Molar Anisotropy rejected aeolotropy suggested by Prof Lushington | 125 |
Molecular Mutual force between atom and ether Vibrating molecule | 150 |
Molar | 157 |
mechanical electrical and electromagnetic vibrations all | 163 |
Molecular Application of Sellmeiers dynamical theory to the dark lines | 176 |
dispersion by prisms of sodiumvapour by Henri Becquerel | 185 |
LECTURE XV | 220 |
176184 | 260 |
LECTURE XVII | 279 |
Molecular Rowlands model vibrator Motion of ether with embedded mole | 297 |
Molar | 323 |
LECTURE XVIII | 324 |
tional | 336 |
Molar Errors in construction of Fresnels rhomb determined | 393 |
LECTURE XIX | 408 |
APPENDIX C | 528 |
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 |
How to draw partitional boundary in three dimensions parti | 611 |
Different qualities on two parallel sides of a crystal oppositely | 622 |
Ternary tactics in lateral and terminal faces of quartz | 637 |
APPENDIX I | 643 |
APPENDIX | 662 |
Stabilities of monatomic and diatomic assemblages stability | 671 |
APPENDIX | 681 |
APPENDIX L | 688 |
| 695 | |
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Common terms and phrases
according angle of incidence atoms axis centimetre centre chiral coefficients components crystal cubic cubic centimetre Curve denote density diagram diameter direction displacement distance distortion double refraction dx dy dy dz dynamical elastic solid electric electrions equal equations equilibrium equivoluminal explained expression force formula Fresnel's rhomb gases give Green Hence homogeneous incident light inertia infinitely isotropic kilometres kinetic energy Lecture liquid Lord Rayleigh luminiferous ether mass medium metals Molar Molecular molecular dynamics molecules motion negative paper parallel particles period phasal plane of incidence polarized light ponderable matter positive Principal Incidence propagational velocity radius ratio Rayleigh reflected light refractive index respect result rigidity rotation simple harmonic motion solution space spherical Stokes suppose supposition surface theory of light values velocity of propagation velocity potential vibrations vibrations perpendicular wave-length wave-plane zero