(Boltzmann-Maxwell)
Watson, H.W.. On the Boltzmann-Maxwell Law of Partition of Kinetic Energy. London: Nature, 1892, appearing in the issue of the magazine for 31 March, 1892 10.5x7.5 inches, 25pp altogether, in which Watson's letter to the editor takes up three columns and about a page and a half, or 1500 words--a considerable and interesting contribution. In the original printed wrappers, and in very good condition. We offer the entire weekly issue removed from a larger bound source, with its scarce outer wrappers and ads. $100
"The Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution applies to ideal gases close to thermodynamic equilibrium, negligible quantum effects, and non-relativistic speeds. It forms the basis of the kinetic theory of gases, which explains many fundamental gas properties, including pressure and diffusion."
From the paper:
"IN the very valuable Report on Thermodynamics drawn up for Section A of the British Association by Messrs. Bryan and Larmor, and now recently published, there is a remark upon the Boltzmann-Maxwell law of partition of Kinetic Energy, upon which I should like to be allowed to make a few comments. The Report says, in fact, after noticing the attempts to extend the theorem from the case, originally contemplated by Boltzmann, of molecules composed of discrete atoms under mutual forces, to the general case of dynamical systems determined by generalized co-ordinates: If has now been proved beyond doubt that the theorem is not valid in this general form; and quotes as a test case a paper by Prof. Burnside to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, on the collisions of elastic spheres, in which the centre of mass is at a small distance, c, from the centre of figure. In this paper, doubtless, results are arrived at, after a vigorous and able treatment, inconsistent with the law now under consideration; but there is, I think, an oversight, pointed out by Mr. Burbury in a paper recently read to the Royal Society of London, which vitiates these conclusions and leaves the matter where it was before..."
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