Gas Pressures and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Abstract

In reply to Mr. R. d'E. Atkinson's letter, I should like to point out that, while his conclusion is undoubtedly true with regard to light, it is by no means clear that analogy justifies his extension of this conclusion to the molecular problem under consideration in my paper. The fundamental conception of unchanging uniform concentration would appear incorrect when applied to particles proceeding between collision centres and entering a minute vessel, the diameter of which is considerably less than the mean free path of the gas concerned. This confusion of issue, introduced by regarding the problem of light as identical with that I was considering, may perhaps be brought out most clearly by the following calculation, which is almost identical with the one Mr. Atkinson suggests would be possible.