Produced by an award-winning translator of Henri Poincaré, this book contains translations of several seminal articles by Poincaré and discusses the experimental and theoretical investigations of electrons that form their context.
In the 1950s, a dispute ignited about the origin of the theory of special relativity and thrust considerable notoriety on a paper written by Henri Poincaré in 1905. Accordingly, Part I presents the relevant translations of Poincaré’s work showing that radiation carries momentum and the covariance of the equations of electrodynamics, the continuity equation for charge, and the spacetime interval. Part II then discusses investigations by Thomson, Becquerel, and Kaufmann of electrons in diverse contexts; contributions of Abraham, Lorentz and Poincaré to a theory of electrons that includes Lorentz transformations and explains the dependence of mass on velocity; and finally, Poincaré’s exploration of the relativity principle, electron stability, and gravitation while rejecting absolute motion (ether) and an electromagnetic origin of mass. Part III contains the 1904 article by H. A. Lorentz presenting his transformations.
This book will be a fascinating read to graduate-level students, physicists, and science historians who are interested in the development of electrodynamics and the classical, relativistic theory of electrons at the beginning of the 20th century.
Author(s): Bruce D Popp
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 303
Preface
Experiments on Electrons
Theory of Electrons
And More
Advice for Readers
Other Translations
Acknowledgments
Contents
Part I: Translation of Selected Papers
Chapter 1: The Measurement of Time
Chapter 2: Lorentz´s Theory and the Conservation of Momentum
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Chapter 3: Three Letters to H. A. Lorentz
First Letter
Second Letter
Third Letter
Chapter 4: Electricity - On the Dynamics of the Electron
Chapter 5: On the Dynamics of the Electron
Introduction
§1 - Lorentz Transformation
§2 - Principle of Least Action
§3 - Lorentz Transformation and the Principle of Least Action
§4 - The Lorentz Group
§5 - Langevin Waves
§6 - Contraction of Electrons
§7 - Quasi-Stationary Motion
§8 - Arbitrary Motion
§9 - Hypotheses on Gravitation
Chapter 6: Dynamics of the Electron
I. Introduction
II. Longitudinal and Transverse Mass
III. Channel Rays
IV. Lorentz´s Theory
V. Mechanical Consequences
VI. Aberration
VII. The Principle of Relativity
VIII. The Conservation of Momentum
IX. Consequences the Principle of Relativity
X. Kaufmann´s Experiment
XI. The Principle of Inertia
XII. Acceleration Wave
XIII. Gravitation
XIV.Comparison with Astronomical Observations
XV. The Theory of Lesage
XVI. Conclusions
Part II: Discussion
Chapter 7: Discovery of the Electron: Cathode Rays
J. J. Thomson
Jean Perrin
Cathode Rays
Ether
J. J. Thomson´s Motivation
Naming the Electron
Meaning of Discovery
Priority
References
Chapter 8: Discovery of the Electron: Radioactivity
Wilhelm Röntgen and X-Rays
Henri Becquerel and Radiation from Uranium
Marie and Pierre Curie and Other Natural Sources of Radiation
Separating the Radiation by Stopping Power and Magnetic Deflection
Paul Villard and γ Rays
What Are β Rays?
Digressions
Zeeman Effect
Henri Becquerel, and Pierre and Marie Curie
Health Effects
References
Chapter 9: Contributions of Abraham, Lorentz and Poincaré to Classical Theory of Electrons
Introduction
Max Abraham
Hendrik Lorentz
Reanalyzing Kaufmann´s Data
Henri Poincaré
Transformation of Charge Density-First Divergence
Unchanged under Lorentz Transformation (Covariant)
Transformations as Group with Invariants-Third Divergence
Electron Stability: Poincaré Stress-Second Divergence
Synopsis
References
Chapter 10: Poincaré as a Physicist
Introduction
A Koan
Advocating for Others
Underlying Principles
Methods
Predictions
Attitude
Conclusion
References
Chapter 11: Einstein, Poincaré and the Origins of Special Relativity
Introduction
Poincaré on What He Was Trying to Do
Einstein on What He Was Trying to Do
The Start of the Dispute: Edmund Whittaker
Contemporary Reactions from Physicists
Gerald Holton´s Response to Edmund Whittaker
Conclusion
References
Chapter 12: Adoption of Vector Notation for Classical Electrodynamics
Considerations
Poincaré´s Notation
Lorentz´s Notation
Understanding J. C. Maxwell
J. W. Gibbs
O. Heaviside
A. Föppl
H. Hertz
J. Larmor
P. Langevin
H. Poincaré: Électricité et optique
First Edition
Second Edition
Poincaré´s Notation, Again
References
Chapter 13: Translation, Language and Culture
My Practice of Translation
Availability of Sources
Language Biases
French Historical Present Tense
The Académie Française
La Belle Époque
References
Part III: Supplement, H. A. Lorentz
Chapter 14: Electromagnetic Phenomena in a System Moving with Any Velocity Smaller than That of Light
Index
