Theory of Physics

Abstract

MR. AMES has written a very interesting book, and one which to many students will be of great value. At the same time it is extremely condensed. To cover the whole range of physics, beginning with mechanics and properties of matter, including also sound, heat, light, electricity and magnetism in about 500 pages, is no easy task. Nor is it made less easy by the fact that Mr. Ames is not content with dealing only with the elementary parts of each subject, but carries his readers far into the region of modern theories. Thus Book ii., on heat, contains a chapter on the kinetic theory of matter; while the introduction to Book iv., electricity and magnetism, deals with the properties of the ether, and in the section on light we have chapters on double refraction and polarisation. The book is intended to be studied in an academic year of nine months by “students who have had no previous training in physics, or at the most only an elementary course.” A large majority of these, we fear, will find beyond them the task of assimilating in so short a time all the nourishment it contains; the minority who succeed in the attempt will have a very good knowledge of physics, and all who read the book intelligently will benefit by its study.

Theory of Physics.

By Joseph S. Ames Pp. xviii + 513. (New York: Harper, 1897.)