The kinetic theory of gases : an anthology of classic papers with historical commentary

This book introduces physics students and teachers to the historical development of the kinetic theory of gases, by providing a collection of the most important contributions by Clausius, Maxwell and Boltzmann, with introductory surveys explaining their significance. In addition, extracts from the works of Boyle, Newton, Mayer, Joule, Helmholtz, Kelvin and others show the historical context of ideas about gases, energy and irreversibility. In addition to five thematic essays connecting the classical kinetic theory with 20th century topics such as indeterminism and interatomic forces, there is Read more... Abstract: This book introduces physics students and teachers to the historical development of the kinetic theory of gases, by providing a collection of the most important contributions by Clausius, Maxwell and Boltzmann, with introductory surveys explaining their significance. In addition, extracts from the works of Boyle, Newton, Mayer, Joule, Helmholtz, Kelvin and others show the historical context of ideas about gases, energy and irreversibility. In addition to five thematic essays connecting the classical kinetic theory with 20th century topics such as indeterminism and interatomic forces, there is CONTENTS......Page 6 PREFACE......Page 10 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 12 PART I The Nature of Gases and of Heat......Page 13 Introduction......Page 14 Bibliography......Page 47 1. The Spring of the Air (from New Experimentas Physical-Mechanical etc. 1660)......Page 56 2. The Repulsion Theory (from Philoso-phiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica 1687)......Page 65 3. On the Properties and Motions of Elastic Fluids especially Air (from Hydrodynamica 1738)......Page 70 4. The Existence of Fire (from The Economy of Nature 1798)......Page 79 5. The Forces of Inorganic Nature (from Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie 1842)......Page 84 6. On Matter Living Force and Heat (from the Manchester Courier 1847)......Page 91 7. The Conservation of Force (from Ueber die Erhaltung der Kraft 1847)......Page 102 8. The Nature of the Motion which We Call Heat (from Annalen der Physik 1857)......Page 124 9. On the Mean Length of the Paths Described by the Separate Molecules of Gaseous Bodies (from Annalen der Physik 1858)......Page 148 10. Illustrations of the Dynamical Theory of Gases (from Philosophical Magazine 1858)......Page 161 11. On a Mechanical Theorem Applicable to Heat (from Sitzungsberichte der Niedderrheinischen Gesellschaft Bonn 1870)......Page 185 PART II Irreversible Processes......Page 192 Introduction......Page 193 Bibliography......Page 209 1. On the Dynamical Theory of Gases (from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London for 1866)......Page 211 2. Further Studies on the Thermal Equilibrium of Gas Molecules (from Sitzungsberichte der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften Vienna 1872)......Page 276 3. The Kinetic Theory of the Dissipation of Energy (from Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for 1874)......Page 364 4. On the Relation of a General Mechanical Theorem to the Second Law of Thermodynamics (from Sitzungsberichte der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften Vienna 1877)......Page 376 5. On the Three-body Problem and the the Equations of Dynamics (from Acta Mathematica 1890)......Page 382 6. Mechanism and Experience (from Revue de Metaphysique et de Morale 1893)......Page 391 7. On a Theorem of Dynamics and the Mechanical Theory of Heat (from Annalen der Physik 1860)......Page 396 8. Reply to Zermelo's Remarks on the Theory of Heat (from Annalen der Physik 1896)......Page 406 9. On the Mechanical Explanation of Irreversible Processes (from Annalen der Physik 1896)......Page 417 10. On Zermelo's Paper "On the Mechanical Explanation of Irreversible Processes" (from Annalen der Physik 1897)......Page 426 PART III Historical Discussions by Stephen G. Brush......Page 435 1. Gadflies and Geniuses in the History of Gas Theory (from Synthese 1999)......Page 436 2. Interatomic Forces and Gas Theory from Newton to Lennard-Jones (from Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis 1970)......Page 466 3. Irreversibility and Indeterminism: Fourier to Heisenberg (from Journal of the History of Ideas 1976)......Page 495 4. Proof of the Impossibility of Ergodic Systems: the 1913 Papers of Rosenthal and Plancherel (from Transport Theory and Statistical Physics 1971)......Page 520 5. Statistical Mechanics and the Philosophy of Science: Some Historical Notes (from PSA 1976 vol. 2 1977)......Page 539 PART IV A Guide to Historical Commentaries: Kinetic Theory of Gases Thermodynamics and Related Topics......Page 570 INDEX TO PARTS I II III......Page 653 Pt. 1. The Nature Of Gases And Of Heat. Robert Boyle: The Spring Of The Air -- Isaac Newton: The Repulsion Theory -- Daniel Bernoulli: On The Properties And Motions Of Elastic Fluids, Especially Air -- George Gregory: The Existence Of Fire -- Robert Mayer: The Forces Of Inorganic Nature -- James Joule: On Matter, Living Force, And Heat -- Hermann Von Helmholtz: The Conservation Of Force -- Rudolf Clausius: The Nature Of The Motion Which We Call Heat -- Rudolf Clausius -- On The Mean Length Of The Paths Described By The Separate Molecules Of Gaseous Bodies -- James Clerk Maxwell: Illustrations Of The Dynamical Theory Of Gases -- Rudolf Clausius: On A Mechanical Theorem Applicable To Heat -- Pt. 2. Irreversible Processes. James Clerk Maxwell: On The Dynamical Theory Of Gases -- Ludwig Boltzmann: Further Studies On The Thermal Equilibrium Of Gas Molecules -- William Thomson: The Kinetic Theory Of Dissipation Of Energy -- Ludwig Boltzmann: On The Relation Of A General Mechanical Theorem To The Second Law Of Thermodynamics -- Henri Poincaré: On The Three-body Problem And The Equations Of Dynamics -- Henri Poincaré: Mechanism And Experience -- Ernst Zermelo: On A Theorem Of Dynamics And The Mechanical Theory Of Heat -- Ludwig Boltzmann: Reply To Zermelo's Remarks On The Theory Of Heat -- Ernst Zermelo: On The Mechanical Explanation Of Irreversible Processes -- Ludwig Boltzmann: On Zermelo's Paper On The Mechanical Explanation Of Irreversible Processes -- Pt. 3. Historical Discussions / By Stephen G. Brush. Gadflies And Geniuses In The History Of Gas Theory -- Interatomic Forces And Gas Theory From Newton To Lennard-jones -- Irreversibility And Indeterminism: Fourier To Heisenberg -- Proof Of Impossibility Of Ergodic Systems: The 1913 Papers Of Rosenthal And Plancherel -- Statistical Mechanics And The Philosophy Of Science: Some Historical Notes -- Pt. 4. A Guide To Historical Commentaries: Kinetic Theory Of Gases, Thermodynamics, And Related Topics. By Stephen G Brush ; Edited By Nancy S Hall. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book introduces physics students and teachers to the historical development of the kinetic theory of gases, by providing a collection of the most important contributions by Clausius, Maxwell and Boltzmann, with introductory surveys explaining their significance. In addition, extracts from the works of Boyle, Newton, Mayer, Joule, Helmholtz, Kelvin and others show the historical context of ideas about gases, energy and irreversibility. In addition to five thematic essays connecting the classical kinetic theory with 20th century topics such as indeterminism and interatomic forces, there is an extensive international bibliography of historical commentaries on kinetic theory, thermodynamics, etc. published in the past four decades. The book will be useful to historians of science who need primary and secondary sources to be conveniently available for their own research and interpretation, along with the bibliography which makes it easier to learn what other historians have already done on this subject. This book introduces physics students and teachers to the historical development of the kinetic theory of gases, by providing a collection of the most important contributions by Clausius, Maxwell and Boltzmann, with introductory surveys explaining their significance. In addition, extracts from the works of Boyle, Newton, Mayer, Joule, Helmholtz, Kelvin and others show the historical context of ideas about gases, energy and irreversibility. In addition to five thematic essays connecting the classical kinetic theory with 20th century topics such as indeterminism and interatomic forces, there is an extensive international bibliography of historical commentaries on kinetic theory, thermodynamics, etc. published in the past four decadesThe book will be useful to historians of science who need primary and secondary sources to be conveniently available for their own research and interpretation, along with the bibliography which makes it easier to learn what other historians have already done on this subject. . An introduction to the historical development of the kinetic theory of gases, providing a collection of contributions by Clausius, Maxwell and Boltzmann, with surveys explaining their significance. There are also extracts from the works of Boyle, Newton, Mayer, Joule, Helmholtz, Kelvin and others.