| RefNo | MS/603/10/66 |
| Previous numbers | 1838 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from A [Arnold] Sommerfeld, Aachen, to [Joseph] Larmor |
| Creator | Sommerfeld; Arnold Johannes Wilhelm (1868-1951); German theoretical physicist |
| Recipient | Larmor; Sir Joseph (1857-1942); Irish theoretical physicist |
| Date | 21 June 1900 |
| Description | He thanks Larmor for his book on aether theory. Sommerfeld now has plenty of work arising from his new charge at Aachen and his time is absorbed in preparing lectures on applied mechanics. He will not be able to study Larmor's book in the next few months. He gives a few comments, commencing with Kelvin's gyrostatic aether, which he thinks is unsatisfactory, explaining why, with some equations. He notes that Larmor does not cite his friend [Emil] Wiechert as one of the founders as the theory of electrons, giving citations to Wienchert's papers which he supposes Larmor has not read. Larmor was kind enough to cite Sommerfeld's paper on diffraction of Roentgen rays, which he has now developed a little further, and he has constructed a theoretical diagram. He thinks Larmor will find his discussion of diffraction somewhat mathematical and will prefer the treatment based upon Fourier's expansion a more physical one. The supernatural creation of the electron should be treated mathematically, he believes, giving a methodology, but stating that he does not have the time. On other topics, Sommerfeld relays that the Encyclopaedia Mathematica is in a good way; Oliver Lodge suggested that Larmor should write on gravity, but Sommerfeld has given the job to a young German physicist, [Johann] Zenneck. He hopes that Larmor will help him with a joint article, not writing, but providing criticism. He concludes by recalling his pleasure at staying at St. John's College, and asks to send his regards to friends. |
| Extent | 8p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA391 | Sommerfeld; Arnold Johannes Wilhelm (1868 - 1951) | 1868 - 1951 |