Mathematical and Physical Papers 6 Volume Set: (Cambridge Library Collection - Physical Sciences)

William Thomson, first Baron Kelvin (1824–1907), is best known for devising the Kelvin scale of absolute temperature and for his work on the first and second laws of thermodynamics, though throughout his 53-year career as a mathematical physicist and engineer at the University of Glasgow he investigated a wide range of scientific questions in areas ranging from geology to transatlantic telegraph cables. The extent of his work is revealed in the six volumes of his Mathematical and Physical Papers, published from 1882 until 1911, consisting of articles that appeared in scientific periodicals from 1841 onwards. Topics covered range from heat, electricity, magnetism and electrotelegraphy to hydrodynamics, tidal theory and navigation.

Table of Contents:
Volume 1: Preface; 1. On Fourier's expansions of functions in trigonometrical series; 2. Note on a passage in Fourier's Heat; 3. On the uniform motion of heat in homogeneous solid bodies, and its connection with the mathematical theory of electricity; 4. On the linear motion of heat. Part 1; 5. On the linear motion of heat. Part 2; 6. Propositions in the theory of attraction; 7. On the attraction of conducting and non-conducting electrified bodies; 8. Note on orthogonal isothermal surfaces; 9. On the equations of the motion of heat referred to curvilinear co-ordinates; 10. Elementary demonstration of Dupin's theorem; 11. Note on some points in the theory of heat; 12. Note on orthogonal isothermal surfaces; 13. Note on the law of gravity at the surface of a revolving homogeneous fluid; 14. Demonstration of a fundamental theorem in the mechanical theory of electricity; 15. On the reduction of the general equation of surfaces of the second order; 16. On the lines of curvature of surfaces of the second order; 17. Démonstration d'un théorème d'analyse; 18. Note sur les lois élémentaires d'électricité statique; 19. Extrait d'une lettre sur l'application du principe des images à la solution de quelques problèmes relatifs à la distribution d'éléctricite; 20. Note on induced magnetism in a plate; 21. On the mathematical theory of electricity in equilibrium; 22. Note on the rings and brushes in the spectra produced by biaxal crystals; 23. On the principal axes of a rigid body; 24. Note on M. Liouville's paper 'Sur une propriété de la couche électrique en équilibre à la surface d'un corps conducteur'; 25. On electrical images; 26. On the electric currents by which the phenomena of terrestrial magnetism may be produced; 27. On a mechanical representation of electric, magnetic, and galvanic forces; 28. On certain definite integrals suggested by problems in the theory of electricity; 29. On the forces experienced by small spheres under magnetic influence; and on some of the phenomena presented by diamagnetic substances; 30. On a system of magnetic curves; 31. Notes on hydrodynamics; 32. Système nouveau de coordonnés orthogonales; 33. Note sur une équation aux différences partielles qui se présente dans plusieurs questions de physique mathématique; 34. On the equilibrium of magnetic or diamagnetic bodies of any form, under the influence of the terrestrial magnetic force; 35. On the theory of electro-magnetic induction; 36. Theorems with reference to the solution of certain partial differential equations; 37. Note on the integration of the equations of equilibrium of an elastic solid; 38. On the mathematical theory of electricity in equilibrium; 39. On an absolute thermometric scale founded on Carnot's theory of the motive power of heat, and calculated from Regnault's observations; 40. Notes on hydrodynamics. On the vis-viva of a liquid in motion; 41. An account of Carnot's theory of the motive power of heat, with numerical results deduced from Regnault's experiments on steam; 42. On the theory of magnetic induction of crystalline substances; 43. Notes on a paper 'Problems respecting polygons in a plane'. By Robert Moon; 44. On the potential of a closed galvanic circuit of any form; 45. The effect of pressure in lowering the freezing point of water experimentally demonstrated; 46. On the forces experienced by inductively magnetized ferro-magnetic or dia-magnetic non-crystalline substances; 47. On a remarkable property of steam connected with the theory of the steam-engine; 48. On the dynamical theory of heat, with numerical results deduced from Mr Joule's equivalent of a thermal unit, and M. Regnault's observations on steam; 49. On the thermal effects of fluids in motion. By J. P. Joule and W. Thomson; 50. On thermodynamic motivity; 51. Experimental researches in thermo-electricity; 52. On the theory of magnetic induction in crystalli