A. H. Wilson – författare

First published in 1966, this account of thermodynamics was written primarily for theoretical physicists and for experimental physicists and physical chemists wishing to enter more deeply into the fundamental principles of the subject. Although it starts at the beginning of thermodynamics and covers elementary and advanced topics, the elementary ideas are treated from an advanced standpoint. The first four chapters deal with both the classical and the axiomatic development of thermodynamics, and the discussion of the first and second laws is elaborated in such a way as to provide a rational basis for the derivation of the fundamental principles of statistical mechanics in Chapter 5. The remaining nine chapters of the book consist of applications of thermodynamics and of statistical mechanics, either separately or combined, to a wide variety of problems. A special chapter is devoted to the third law of thermodynamics.

Alan Herries Wilson was a widely respected scientist and industrialist. Born in 1906, Wilson won a Cambridge scholarship at the age of 16. Just 20 years later, he was Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1963, Wilson became chairman of Glaxo, leading the company to great success by boldly engaging with the European markets. In this 1939 text, Wilson shows his aptitude for scientific thought and writing, providing a fluent and informative introduction to the electron theory of metals. His aim was to make clear the physical principles on which the theories of the 1930s were based, with chapters addressing the fundamental elements of electron theory and the structure, conductivity and thermal potential of metals and semi-conductors. Over 70 years after its initial publication, this book will continue to appeal to all readers with an admiration of Sir Alan Wilson, or an interest in the history of electron theory itself.