PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

Summary

My primary aim in the first edition of this book was to develop the Theory of Gases upon as exact a mathematical basis as possible. This aim has not been forgotten in the preparation of a second edition, but has been combined with an attempt to make as much of the book as possible intelligible to the non-mathematical reader. I have adopted the plan, partially followed in the first edition, of dividing the book to a large extent into mathematical and physical chapters. The reader whose interest is mainly on the physical side will, it is hoped, get an intelligible account of the present state of the subject by reading the physical chapters I, VI, VII and XI to XVIII, and regarding the more mathematical chapters simply as material for reference. Apart from this, something is, I think, gained by clearing the ground by a full mathematical treatment before any physical discussion is attempted.

Since the first edition of this book appeared the position of the Kinetic Theory has been to some extent revolutionised by the growth and developments of the Quantum Theory, and it has been by no means easy to decide what exact amount of prominence ought to be given to the Quantum Theory in the arrangement of the book. The plan finally adopted has been to confine the Quantum Theory to the last chapter; the difficulties arising out of the classical treatment have been allowed to emerge in the earlier chapters, but have been left unsolved.