Kinetic Theory Of Gases

KINETIC THEORY OF GASES KLEMKXTAKY TUEATJLSifi WITH M AT H KM AT 1C 1 - A L APPENDICES BY l u OSKAIl EMIL MEYE11 SStm r PHVsIlK AT THK tNlVKRSTn OF TRANSLATED FROM THK SECOND ll VISEI EDITION BY KOBBET B. BAYNES, M. A. OF C-HJUST CHUBCH, OXFORD, AND DK LEJB J B READER IN PHYSICK LONGMANS, GEEEN, AND CO. sa IATERNOSTEB BOW, LONDON AUTHORS PREFACE THIS EDITION THE first edition of this book appeared in 1877, at the time of the most rapid and beautiful development of the kinetic theory of gases. About twenty years before, the founders of the theory, Kronig and Clansius, had explained the expansive tendency of gases, and had calculated their pressure on the assumption that the smallest particles of gases do not repel each other, but are in rapid motion. From the theory based on this supposition not only were the laws of gases, so far as they were then known, deduced in simplest fashion, but also new laws, hitherto undreamt of, were discovered, which were afterwards confirmed when tested by experiment. These results, which we owe to Maxwell and Clausius, quickly won to the theory many friends and adherents. But a deeper insight into the new theory was not then widely possessed, since the mathematical shape of the me moirs formed a grave obstacle for many readers. I under took therefore to exhibit the kinetic theory of gases in such a way as to be more easily intelligible to wider circles, and especially to chemists and other natural philosophers to whom mathematics are not congenial To this end I endeavoured, much more than was otherwise usual, not only vi AUTHORS FKEFACE TO TITItf EDITION to develop the theory by calculation, but rather to support it by observation and found it onexperiment. I therefore collected together, as completely as I could, and summarised, the observations by which the admissibility of the theory might be tested and its correctness proved. I dare to think that I have not failed in this endeavour for not only did my book receive favourable judgment, but also my presentation of the subject was turned to much account in popular writings and found its way into physical text-books. In this my book fulfilled the purpose I intended. 1 wrote it only for that time, and did not seriously think that it might reappear in a new edition after long years. But the demand for the book did not cease, and, as the supply was nearly exhausted more than ten years ago, I had to determine on a revision, although the necessary preliminary work had not yet been done, As to the general plan of the revision 1 could not long be in doubt. I could not destroy the shape in which the book had been proved and had won recognition, and T have therefore written it anew on the old plan. The matheinaiiral discussions form, as before, an Appendix which makos no claim to completeness and need not be studied by every reader the contents of the book are limited to the same range of phenomena as in the first edition the observations which I have taken into consideration belong partly to mechanical physics and partly to the domains of heat and chemistry The book has therefore preserved it character, and may perhaps also serve its first purpose. I have inserted a series of new theories, as, for instance, an explanation on the kinetic theory of the resistance of air and of the reaction of a jet, together with a longer investi gation, also new, concerning the influence of thedissociation of the molecules of a vapour upon its viscosity. 1 ahouM have enlarged the contents of the book in many other directions with pleasure 1 should gladly, for instance, AVTI lORS PREFACE TO TUTS EDITION vil treated of evaporation in connection with the diffusion of gasps and have discussed many other subjects allied to the pisoous theory. But I had to omit much, since the work would have demanded too much time...