Article ID: CBB110038655

The Lorenz-Lorentz Formula: Origin and Early History (2018)

unapi

Among the many eponymous formulae and laws met in textbooks in physics and chemistry, the Lorenz-Lorentz formula merits attention from a historical point of view. The somewhat curious name of this formula, which relates the refractive index of a substance to its density, reflects its dual origin in two areas of nineteenth-century physics, namely optics and electromagnetism. Although usually dated to 1880, the formula was first established in 1869 by L. V. Lorenz (optics) and subsequently in 1878 by H.A. Lorentz (electromagnetism). Apart from discussing the origin and priority of the Lorenz-Lorentz formula the paper outlines its early use in molecular physics and physical chemistry. During the late nineteenth century studies of molecular refractivity based on the formula proved important in a number of ways. For example, they led to estimates of the size of molecules and provided information about the structure of chemical compounds.

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Authors & Contributors
Kragh, Helge S.
Kox, Anne J.
Dong, Hao
Amery, Fiona
Hubert, Mario
Frits Berends
Concepts
Physics
Optics
Electromagnetism
Biographies
Refraction
Theoretical physics
Time Periods
19th century
20th century, early
20th century
Renaissance
17th century
16th century
Places
Denmark
Netherlands
England
Italy
Germany
Great Britain
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