The classical vacuum of physics is not empty, but contains a distinctive pattern of electromagnetic fields. Discovery of the vacuum, thermal spectrum, classical electron theory, zero-point spectrum, and effects of acceleration are discussed. Connection between thermal radiation and the classical vacuum reveals unexpected unity in the laws of…

Briefly mentions pre-19th century ideas and discusses the contributions of Mohr, Seguin, Mayer, Grove, Colding, Joule and Helmholtz and the controversies regarding priority including Tyndall's involvement in one of them. Mentions the tension between philosophical and practical modes of thought in 19th century science. Includes portraits. (GH)

Teaching thermodynamics to undergraduate students is reduced to mere mathematical treatment of Gedankenexperimente based on two abstract fundamental postulates of thermodynamics. Attempts to remedy deficiencies of such courses with aims of taking the historical context into consideration in order to illustrate the importance of socioeconomical…

The foundation of science, and of thermodynamics in particular, can be developed cogently and without arbitrariness. The goal of science, description of nature, is externally given; it requires a set of basic concepts as indispensable tools. Mathematics has no similar externally given goal. (Author/TS)

Surveys the research of scientists like Joule, Kelvin, Maxwell, Clausius, and Boltzmann as it comments on the basic conceptual issues involved in the development of a more precise kinetic theory and the idea of a kinetic atom. (Author/SK)

Outlines the contributions of J. H. Jeans to the laws of radiation and explains the interactions of Jeans with Rayleigh and Lorentz. (GS)

Discusses how physics was done at the University of California at Berkeley in the 1930s, focusing on the faculty and their accomplishments, physics experiments, physics instruments/equipment (cyclotron and rhumbatron), and research problems and their solutions. Includes reminiscences about lectures on thermodynamics presented by Otto Stern during…

Discusses elementary excitations and their role in condensed matter physics, focusing on quantum plasma, helium liquids, and superconductors. Considers research primarily conducted in the 1950s and concludes with a brief survey of some closely related further developments. (Author/JN)

The evolution of ideas about the concept of chaos is surveyed. Discussed are chaos in deterministic, dynamic systems; order in dissipative systems; and thermodynamics and irreversibility. Included are logistic and bifurcation maps to illustrate points made in the discussion. (CW)