[51] Owing to an error of calculation the actual value obtained by Maxwell from these observations for the coefficient of viscosity is too great. More recent observers have found lower values than those given by him; the difference is thus explained.
[52] Studien über das Gleichgewicht der lebendigen Kraft zwischen bewegten materiellen Punkten Sitz d. k. Akad Wien, Band LVIII., 1868.
[53] Another supposition which might be made, and which is necessary in order to explain various actions observed in a compound gas under electric force, is that the parts of which a molecule is composed are continually changing. Thus a molecule of steam consists of two parts of hydrogen, one of oxygen, but a given molecule of oxygen is not always combined with the same two molecules of hydrogen; the particles are continually changed. In Maxwell’s paper an hypothesis of this kind is not dealt with.
[54] Nature, vol. 1., p. 152 (December 13th, 1894).
[55] See papers by Mr. Capstick, Phil. Trans., vols. 185–186.
[56] Nature, vol. x.
[57] An historical account of the development of the science of electricity will be found in the article “Electricity” in the Encyclopædia Britannica, ninth edition, by Professor Chrystal.
[58] Thomson (Lord Kelvin), “Papers on Electrostatics and Magnetism,” p. 15.
[59] J. J. Thomson, B.A., Report, 1885, pp. 109, 113, Report on Electrical Theories.
[60] Papers on “Electrostatics,” etc., p. 26.