Degrees Kelvin. A tale of genius, invention, and tragedy.

Author(s) : LINDLEY D.

Type of monograph: Book

Summary

This biography of one of the most important figures in modern science tells the story of Sir William Thomson (1824-1907), who became Lord Kelvin. It unravels the mystery of a life composed of equal parts triumph and tragedy, hubris and humility, yielding a surprising and compelling portrait of a complex and enigmatic man. His name survives in the designation of degrees Kelvin, the temperature scale that begins with absolute zero, the point at which atomic motion ceases and there is a complete absence of heat. Lord Kelvin's work ranged from thermodynamics to electromagnetism.

Details

  • Original title: Degrees Kelvin. A tale of genius, invention, and tragedy.
  • Record ID : 2004-3096
  • Languages: English
  • Publication: National Academies Press - United kingdom/United kingdom
  • Publication date: 2004
  • ISBN: 0309090733
  • Source: Source: 374 p. (15.5 x 23.5); ref.; index; USD 27.95.
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.