Vortex Atoms

Abstract

WHILE thanking Mr. G. H. Darwin for his observations on one or two passages in my paper “On the Physical Aspects of the Vortex-Atom Theory,” which, as they stand, may no doubt tend to convey an inexact impression, I may state that the illustration of a pipe was used with the endeavour to aid the conceptions in some respects, rather than for rigid accuracy of comparison. The idea of the exterior fluid being at rest was subsequently guarded against by stating that it had “important functions” to perform. In regard to the fact of only mentioning “friction” as an element of resistance in a totally immersed body, I wished rather to convey the general idea that if no energy were given to the molecules of the surrounding liquid at the passage of the immersed body, there would be no “resistance.” The object of the article was, however, not so much to lay stress on these points as to notice certain, perhaps less appreciated (à priori), aspects of the problem.