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Brownian Motion: Of fundamental importance in atomic theory; PMM 290 |
| “While examining the form
of these particles immersed in water, I observed many of them very
evidently in motion; their motion consisting not only of a change of
place in the fluid, manifested by alterations in their relative
positions, but also no unfrequently of a change of form in the particle
itself.” -Robert Brown |
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Brown,
Robert. “A Brief Account of Microscopical Observations… and on the
General Existence of Active Molecules in Organic and Inorganic
Bodies,” pp. 161-173, in The Philosophical Magazine and Annals of
Philosophy, Vol IV (the whole volume). London: Richard Taylor, 1828.
Octavo, recent three-quarter calf in period style, marbled boards.
First published edition (preceded only by the extraordinarily rare privately-printed issue) of Robert Brown’s description of the molecular phenomenon later known as “Brownian motion.” Rediscovered and explained by Einstein (1905) as a manifestation of the kinetic theory of heat, Brown’s discoveries are of fundamental importance to all subsequent advances in atomic theory. The London printing precedes the Edinburgh printing of the same year. PMM 290. Only occasional foxing. A fine copy, handsomely bound. |