European Journal of Physics · 1980 · 24 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMathematicsPhysicsMathematical PhysicsTheoretical PhysicsSecond Law Of ThermodynamicsStabilityStability TheoryStates Of MatterStatic StabilityThermodynamic StabilityCharged Particle EquilibriumEquilibrium StabilityNonequilibrium Thermodynamic StabilityStability Analysis Of Nonequilibrium StatesStatic EquilibriumStatic Equilibrium Analysis
The author considers the proof of Earnshaw's theorem and its important corollary that no system of charged particles can be in stable static equilibrium. The author also discusses what implications this corollary had for Victorian ideas on the constitution of matter.