POISSON, (SIMÉON-DENIS). - CO-FOUNDING THE "MATHEMATICAL THEORY OF ELASTICITY".

Mémoire sur l'Équilibre et le Mouvement des Corps élastiques. (Lu à l'Academie des Sciences, le 14 avril 1828).

(Paris, Crochard, 1828). 8vo. Without wrappers. In 'Annales de Chimie et de Physique', Series 2 - Volume 37, Cahier 4. Pp. 337-444 (entire issue offered). Poisson's paper:pp. 337-355.

First appearance of one of the founding papers in "The mathematical Theory of Elasticity" and Poisson's first on the subject. "The theory of elasticity based on the idea of a molecular structure attracted Poisson's interest, and he did much to lay the foundations of that science."(Timoshenko p. 111 ff.).

"In the preface to the long "Mémoire sur I’équilibre et le movement des corps élastiques" (14 April 1828), the hints yield to explicit declaration. In applying mathematics to physics, Poisson stated, it was necessary at first to employ abstraction and "in this regard, Lagrange has gone as far as possible in replacing physical ties by equations between coordinates." Now, however, "along with this admirable conception," it is necessary to "construct physical mechanics, the principle of which is to reduce everything to molecular actions." In other words, the death of Laplace the previous year enabled Poisson to move boldly ahead with his long range plans and to present himself as Laplace’s successor."(DSB)

The issue offered contains notable papers by Berzelius, Gay-Lussac and others.

Order-nr.: 44897