From Book News, Inc.
Drawing on primary sources, Rowlinson (emeritus, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, U. of Oxford) presents studies on the work and legacies of Newton, Laplace, and van der Waals in advancing understanding of the forces between particles of matter and how these forces give rise to the transformation of matter into other forms, the surface tension of liquids, and other manifestations of cohesion. Because the study of cohesion over three centuries led to no revolutions in Kuhn's sense, the author considers this "...an account of a branch of `normal' science that exemplifies how such work is done."Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Review
"Rowlinson has crowned a distinguished research career by writing a detailed technical history of the field in which he has made so many important contributions...I cannot praise this book enough." William B. Jensen, University of Cincinnati
"An intricate and intriguing saga...The book admirably fulfills its stated aim of serving historians of science and also physicists or physical chemists curious about the roots of modern approaches to intermolecular forces...Students of molecular science (and their teachers!) would do well to consult Rowlinson's book to see how discussions of topics such as capillarity, surface tension of liquids, elasticity of solids, and gas imperfection gain uncommon clarity from historical perspective, which brings out underlying assumptions and perplexing aspects often obscured in current texts. Those concerned about science literacy--either for the general public or for the coming generation of professionals--will find much material useful for seasoning their sermons." Physics Today
Book Description
Why does matter stick together? Why do gases condense to liquids, and liquids to solids? This book is a detailed historical account of how some of the leading scientists of the past three centuries have tried to answer these questions. Organized into four broad periods of advances in understanding, the first three are associated with Newton, Laplace and van der Waals, while the fourth gives an account of the successful use in the twentieth century of quantum and statistical mechanics to resolve most of the remaining problems.
Download Description
Why does matter stick together? Why do gases condense to liquids, and liquids to solids? This book provides a detailed historical account of how some of the leading scientists of the past three centuries have tried to answer these questions. The topic of cohesion and the study of intermolecular forces has been an important component of physical science research for hundreds of years. This book is organised into four broad periods of advances in our understanding. The first three are associated with Newton, Laplace and van der Waals. The final section gives an account of the successful use in the twentieth century of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics to resolve most of the remaining problems. The book will be of primary interest to physical chemists and physicists, as well as historians of science interested in the historical origins of our modern day understanding of cohesion.
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