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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, 'On a class of dynamical problems' by Arthur Cayley

Reference number: AP/39/35

Date: 16 May 1857

Description

Cayley explains that 'there are a class of dynamical problems which, so far as I am aware, have not been considered in a general manner. The problems referred to (which might be designated as continuous-impact problems) are those in which the system is continually taking into connexion with itself particles of infinitesimal mass (i. e. of a mass containing the increment of time dt as a factor), so as not itself to undergo any abrupt change of velocity, but to subject to abrupt changes of velocity the particles so taken into connexion'. He presents an equation of dynamics.

A note in pencil reads 'For the Proceedings - proofs to A C'.

Subject: Mathematics / Differential calculus

Received and read 18 June 1857.

A version of this paper was published in volume 8 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'On a class of dynamical problems'.

Reference number
AP/39/35
Earliest possible date
16 May 1857
Physical description
Ink and graphite pencil on paper
Page extent
6 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Arthur Cayley

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Citation

Arthur Cayley, Paper, 'On a class of dynamical problems' by Arthur Cayley, 16 May 1857, AP/39/35, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_39_35/paper-on-a-class-of-dynamical-problems-by-arthur-cayley, accessed on 14 January 2026

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