Mathematical and Physical Papers

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. Volume 2, published in 1884, includes articles from the period 1853–1856, and puts a special emphasis on the issue of the development of electric telegraphy. Also included is Thomson's Bakerian Lecture on the electro-dynamic qualities of metals.

64. On the mutual attraction and repulsion between two electrified spherical conductors; 65. Remarques sur les oscillations d'aiguilles non cristalisées de faible pourvoir inductif paramagnétique ou diamagnétique; 66. On the mechanical energies of the solar system; 67. Note on the possible density of the luminiferous medium and on the mechanical value of a cubic mile of sunlight; 68. Aperçu sur des recherches relatives aux effets des courants électriques dans des conducteurs inégalement échauffés, et à d'autres points de la thermo-électricité; 69. On mechanical antecedents of motion, heat, and light; 70. Elementary demonstrations of propositions in the theory of magnetic force; 71. On the magnetic medium and on the effects of compression; 72. Compendium of the Fourier mathematics for the conduction of heat in solids, and the mathematically allied physical subjects of diffusion of fluids, and transmission of electric signals through submarine cables; 73. On the theory of the electric telegraph; 74. On the electro-static capacity of a Leyden phial and of a telegraph wire insulated in the axis of a cylindrical conducting sheath; 75. On peristaltic induction of electric currents in submarine telegraph wires; 76. Letters on 'Telegraphs to America'; 77. On practical methods for rapid signalling by the electric telegraph; 78. On the electric conductivity of commercial copper of various kinds; 79. Analytical and synthetical attempts to ascertain the cause of the differences of electric conductivity discovered in wires of nearly pure copper; 80. Remarks on the discharge of a a coiled electric cable; 81. Velocity of electricity; 82. Extract from article 'Telegraph' of Nichol's Cyclopaedia; 83. On the true and false discharge of a coiled electric cable; 84. On the forces concerned in the laying and lifting of deep-sea cables; 85. On signalling through submarine cables; 86. On the effects of mechanical strain on the thermo-electric qualities of metals; 87. On the use of observations of terrestrial temperature for the investigation of absolute dates in geology; 88. On the electric qualities of magnetized iron; 89. On the thermo-electric position of aluminium; 90. On the origin and transformations of motive power; 91. On the electro-dynamic qualities of metals; Appendix.

This collection brings together in six volumes the published articles of the eminent mathematical physicist and engineer William Thomson, first Baron Kelvin (1824-1907). Topics covered include heat, electricity, magnetism and electrotelegraphy, hydrodynamics, tidal theory and navigation.