Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Notes on Hydrodynamics. III. On the Dynamical Equations
- On the constitution of the Luminiferous Ether
- On the Theory of certain Bands seen in the Spectrum
- Notes on Hydrodynamics. IV. Demonstration of a Fundamental Theorem
- On a difficulty in the Theory of Sound
- On the Formation of the Central Spot of Newton's Rings beyond the Critical Angle
- On some points in the Received Theory of Sound
- On the perfect Blackness of the Central Spot in Newton's Rings, and on the Verification of Fresnel's Formula for the intensities of Reflected and Reflacted Rays
- On Attractions, and on Clairaut's Theorem
- On the Variation of Gravity at the Surface of the Earth
- On a Mode of Measuring the Astigmatism of a Defective Eye
- On the Determination of the Wave Length corresponding with any Point of the Spectrum
- Discussion of a Differential Equation relating to the Breaking of Railway Bridges
- Notes on Hydrodynamics, VI. On Waves
- On the Dynamical Theory of Diffraction
- On the Numerical Calculation of a class of Definite Integrals and Infinite Series
- On the Mode of Disappearance of Newton's Rings in passing the Angle of Total Internal Reflection
- On Metallic Reflection
- On a Fictitious Displacement of Fringes of Interference
- On Haidinger's Brushes
- Index
Notes on Hydrodynamics, VI. On Waves
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Notes on Hydrodynamics. III. On the Dynamical Equations
- On the constitution of the Luminiferous Ether
- On the Theory of certain Bands seen in the Spectrum
- Notes on Hydrodynamics. IV. Demonstration of a Fundamental Theorem
- On a difficulty in the Theory of Sound
- On the Formation of the Central Spot of Newton's Rings beyond the Critical Angle
- On some points in the Received Theory of Sound
- On the perfect Blackness of the Central Spot in Newton's Rings, and on the Verification of Fresnel's Formula for the intensities of Reflected and Reflacted Rays
- On Attractions, and on Clairaut's Theorem
- On the Variation of Gravity at the Surface of the Earth
- On a Mode of Measuring the Astigmatism of a Defective Eye
- On the Determination of the Wave Length corresponding with any Point of the Spectrum
- Discussion of a Differential Equation relating to the Breaking of Railway Bridges
- Notes on Hydrodynamics, VI. On Waves
- On the Dynamical Theory of Diffraction
- On the Numerical Calculation of a class of Definite Integrals and Infinite Series
- On the Mode of Disappearance of Newton's Rings in passing the Angle of Total Internal Reflection
- On Metallic Reflection
- On a Fictitious Displacement of Fringes of Interference
- On Haidinger's Brushes
- Index
Summary
The theory of waves has formed the subject of two profound memoirs by MM. Poisson and Cauchy, in which some of the highest resources of analysis are employed, and the results deduced from expressions of great complexity. This circumstance might naturally lead to the notion that the subject of waves was unapproachable by one who was either unable or unwilling to grapple with mathematical difficulties of a high order. The complexity, however, of the memoirs alluded to arises from the nature of the problem which the authors have thought fit to attack, which is the determination of the motion of a mass of liquid of great depth when a small portion of the surface has been slightly oisturbed in a given arbitrary manner. But after all it is not such problems that possess the greatest interest. It is seldom possible to. realize in experiment the conditions assumed in theory respecting the initial disturbance. Waves are usually produced either by some sudden disturbing cause, which acts at a particular part of the fluid in a manner too complicated for calculation, or by the wind exciting the surface in a manner which cannot be strictly investigated. What chiefly strikes our attention is the propagation of waves already produced, no matter how : what we feel most desire to investigate is the mechanism and the laws of such propagation.
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- Information
- Mathematical and Physical Papers , pp. 221 - 242Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009