Albert Einstein. 1904

Albert Einstein (1879-1955).

'Zur allgemeinen molekularen Theorie der Wärme.' Offprint from: Annalen der Physik. Ser. 4, vol. 14, pp. 354-362. Leipzig: J.A. Barth, 1904.

Hans Albert Einstein’s copy of his father’s fifth publication, an extremely important paper demonstrating the pivotal role of statistical mechanics in Einstein's early work. In this paper, Einstein generalized and extended the foundations of statistical physics. Pais notes that with this work, Einstein had 'taken a bold new step... he had applied statistical reasonings to radiation' (Pais, Subtle is the Lord, 70): in 1905, during his annus mirabilis, he would do so again. Specifically, this paper is part of 'the statistical framework he established between 1902 and 1904 [that would provide] the backbone for his papers on the light quantum and on Brownian motion of 1905. It pointed to the crucial role of fluctuations in discerning the non-classical character of heat radiation, and revealed atomic dimensions in his analysis of Brownian motion' (Annalen der Physik website). This is the only paper Einstein wrote in 1904 and the first in which he mentioned Planck. Schlipp 5, Weil 5.

Octavo (224 x 142mm). Original printed wrappers. Provenance: H.A. Einstein (1904-1976; front wrapper with his stamp with Berkeley CA address, numbered ‘3’ in red biro, and dated '27.III.04' in pencil).

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