[Michelson, Albert A. / Darwin, Charles / Maxwell, James Clerk] Macmillan, Alexander.

On the Velocity of Light – Small statement of Albert A. Michelson on the experiments of Young and Forbes. In: NATURE. A Weekly Illustrated Journal of Science, Volume XXIV. May 1881 to October 1881. [The Volume also containing a contribution by Charles Darwin: “On the Work of Worms” / Howard Grubb’s “Great Vienna Telescope” / etc.

London and New York, Macmillan and Co., 1881. 4°. XVI, 624 pages including an original full page potrtrait-engraving of scottish mathematical physicist James Clerk Maxwell. Original Hardcover, recently beautifully rebacked with gilt lettering on spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Pages 559 to 564 with central tear. Few small library stamps (discarded). Also with a contribution by Darwin in the section “Letter to the editor” (Darwin responds to an article “Leaves injured at Night by free radiation”).

James Clerk Maxwell FRS FRSE (13 June 1831 – 5 November 1879) was a Scottish scientist in the field of mathematical physics. His most notable achievement was to formulate the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, bringing together for the first time electricity, magnetism, and light as manifestations of the same phenomenon. Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetism have been called the “second great unification in physics” after the first one realised by Isaac Newton.

With the publication of “A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field” in 1865, Maxwell demonstrated that electric and magnetic fields travel through space as waves moving at the speed of light. Maxwell proposed that light is an undulation in the same medium that is the cause of electric and magnetic phenomena. The unification of light and electrical phenomena led to the prediction of the existence of radio waves.

Maxwell helped develop the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, a statistical means of describing aspects of the kinetic theory of gases. He is also known for presenting the first durable colour photograph in 1861 and for his foundational work on analysing the rigidity of rod-and-joint frameworks (trusses) like those in many bridges.

His discoveries helped usher in the era of modern physics, laying the foundation for such fields as special relativity and quantum mechanics. Many physicists regard Maxwell as the 19th-century scientist having the greatest influence on 20th-century physics. His contributions to the science are considered by many to be of the same magnitude as those of Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. In the millennium poll – a survey of the 100 most prominent physicists – Maxwell was voted the third greatest physicist of all time, behind only Newton and Einstein. On the centenary of Maxwell’s birthday, Einstein described Maxwell’s work as the “most profound and the most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton”. (Wikipedia)

• Keywords: Biology – Rare · Mathematics – Rare · Natural History – Rare · Science – Rare
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 27509AB

EUR 480,--