The Contributions by Rudolf Clausius In the fields of physics were of great importance for this science, for chemistry, for mathematics, and for science in general.
Clausius is considered by many as one of the founders of thermodynamics. Along with Clausius, characters like William Thompson and James Jule developed in an important way this branch of science whose foundation is awarded to the Frenchman Sadi Carnot.
Rudolf Clausius, 1822 - 1888
The work of Clausius had a strong impact on the development of theories proposed by other important physicists.
An example is the case of the theories of James Maxwell, who openly recognized the influence of Clausius in his own work.
The most important contributions of Rudolf Clausius were related to the results of his research on the effect of heat on different fluids and materials.
Foundation of thermodynamics
Considered as one of the parents of thermodynamics, Clausius provided important bases for the development of the fundamental propositions of the same.
Some Important characters in physics They asserted that it was the work of Clausius who assured the foundations of thermodynamics with clear definitions and definite boundaries.
Clausius's focus was on the nature of molecular phenomena. From the study of these phenomena resulted the propositions that he himself formulated on the laws of thermodynamics.
Contribution to the kinetic theory of gases
The work of Clausius on the individual molecules of the gases were determinants for the development of the kinetic theory of the gases.
This theory was developed by James Maxwell in 1859 based on the work of Clausius. The same was criticized in principle by Clausius and based on these criticisms Maxwell realized an update of its theory in 1867.
The main contribution of Clausius in this field was the development of a criterion to distinguish atoms and molecules, demonstrating that the gas molecules were complex bodies with constituent parts that move.
Second law of thermodynamics
Clausius was the one who introduced the term"Entropy"in thermodynamics and used this concept to study both reversible and irreversible processes in this area of knowledge.
Clausius allowed to relate the concept of entropy to the concept of energy dissipation as"Siamese"concepts because of their close relationship.
This marked a substantial difference with similar concepts that tried to describe the same phenomena.
The concept of entropy, as proposed by Clausius, was little more than a hypothesis in its time. Eventually it was shown that Clausius was right.
The mathematical method of Clausius
One of Clausius's contributions to science was the development of a mathematical method that played a unique role in thermodynamics. This method was useful in its application to the mechanical theory of heat.
This contribution of Clausius is often overlooked, mainly due to the confusing way in which the author presented it.
Nevertheless, many authors consider that these confusions were common in the physicists and it is not reason to reject it.
Mechanical Theory of Heat
Clausius developed what was called the mechanical theory of heat. This was one of his most important contributions to thermodynamics.
The basis of this theory considered heat as a form of movement.
This made it possible to understand that the amount of heat needed to heat and expand the volume of a gas depends on the way in which said temperature and volume change during the process.
References
- Daub E. Entropy and Dissipation. Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences. 1970; 2 (1970): 321-354.
- Ketabgian T. (2017). The Energy of Belief: The Unseen Universe Spirit of Thermodynamics. In Strange Science (pp. 254-278).
- Klein M. Gibbs on Clausius. Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences. 1969; 1 (1969): 127-149.
- Sciences A. A. Rudolf Julius Emanuel Clausius. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 1889; 24: 458-465.
- Wolfe E. Clausius and Maxwell's Kinetic Theory of Gases. Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences. 1970; 2: 299-319.
- Yagi E. Clausius's Mathematical Method and the Mechanical Theory of Heat. Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences. 1984; 15 (1): 177-195.