Dictionary of Physics or an Attempt at an Explanation of the Most Important Concepts and Technical Terms of Natural Philosophy

Preface.

used either none at all, or merely the writings indicated in the text itself.

With intent, perhaps against the taste of the present age, I have inserted mathematical calculations and proofs expressed through formulas in various places in this first part, partly because certain important propositions cannot be expressed or proven otherwise or at least not more briefly, and partly also to show clearly that for a true and correct knowledge of nature, acquaintance with higher mathematics is quite indispensable. That I have taken the Macquer dictionary with the additions of Mr. Leonhardi as a basis for the articles relating to chemistry, and have only added the newer discoveries where it was necessary, will not be criticized by anyone to whom the advantages of this work are known.

A large part of the articles in this dictionary is dedicated to the history of opinions and inventions, which has always constituted a very instructive and pleasant study, at least for me. For the most part, everything we can say about a physical concept or subject runs down to a narrative of that which people have hitherto