H. A. Lorentz's contributions to kinetic gas theory

Abstract

Summary This paper presents a summary and an analysis of the work of Hendrik Antoon Lorentz in the field of kinetic gas theory. It appears that as one of its characteristic traits this work shows a strong influence of Ludwig Boltzmann, which was reinforced by the personal contacts between the two men. The position of Lorentz's work in connection with the controversies that surreounded kinetic theory towards the end of the nineteenth century is also discussed, and it is argued that the work of Gibbs provided Lorentz with an attractive alternative to Boltzmann's statistical interpretation of the second law of thermodynamics.