| RefNo | MS/603/3/70 |
| Previous numbers | 469 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Geo Fras [George Francis] Fitzgerald, Trinity College, Dublin, to [Joseph] Larmor |
| Creator | FitzGerald; George Francis (1851-1901); Irish theoretical physicist |
| Recipient | Larmor; Sir Joseph (1857-1942); Irish theoretical physicist |
| Date | 8 February 1895 |
| Description | Fitzgerald considers that a distribution theorem would not hold even with a great number of degrees of freedom. He refers to the example of a billiard ball, a complicated system on which energy is 'frittered away into smaller and smaller vibrations'. Larmor's solar systems would be 'knocked to pieces' by serious perturbations during collisions. He thinks that there may be a necessity for one or two internal degrees of freedom. He continues to discuss internal electron motions and thinks that Larmor does not sufficiently appreciate the great generality in actual experience of the distribution of energy theorem. Even though atoms were disassociated, the aether bonding may reduce the degrees of freedom of all electrons within a wavelength of one another. Larmor believes that radiation never gets near a steady state, in which case Fitzgerald questions what becomes of its energy, giving his own interpretation. He concludes by remarking that he must lecture, trying to prevent his engineering students from snowballing 'the poor divinity students'. |
| Extent | 5p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |