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ART. 186 - On the Theory of Surface Forces. II. Compressible Fluids

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2011

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Summary

In the first part of the paper published under the above title (Phil. Mag. Oct. and Dec. 1890 [Vol. iii. p. 397]) the theory of Young and Laplace was considered, and further developed in certain directions. The two leading assumptions of this theory are (1) that the range of the cohesive forces, though very small in comparison with the dimensions of ordinary bodies, is nevertheless large in comparison with molecular distances, so that matter may be treated as continuous; and (2) that the fluids considered are incompressible. So far as I am aware, there is at present no reason to suppose that the applicability of the results to actual matter is greatly prejudiced by imperfect fulfilment of (1); but, on the other hand, the assumption of incompressibility is a somewhat violent one, even in the cases of liquids, and altogether precludes the application of the theory to gases and vapours. In the present communication an attempt is made to extend the theory to compressible fluids, and especially to the case of a liquid in contact with its own vapour, retaining the first assumption of continuity, or rather of ultimate homogeneity. There will not be two opinions as to the advantage of the extension to compressible fluids; but some may perhaps be inclined to ask whether it is worth while to spend labour upon a theory which ignores the accumulated evidence before us in favour of molecular structure.

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Scientific Papers , pp. 513 - 523
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2009
First published in: 1902

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