Vito Volterra and the physics of his time (Q2712954)

This note illustrates Volterra's contributions to theoretical physics besides those on hereditary phenomenona and elastic distortions that have been examined in two other papers [\textit{G. Grioli}, ibid., 271-289 (1992; Zbl 0977.01021) and \textit{D. Graffi}, ibid., 39-76 (1992; Zbl 0977.01022), see above]. The examined contributions concern periodical motion of the physical pole of the earth, discharges of electricity in gas, flux of mechanical energy, the application to physics of mathematical ecology. The last one concerns the applications of the well-known Lotka-Volterra equation to physical phenomena as LASER and chemical watches. The author's treatment is more qualitative than technical and is preceded by a sketch of the physical ideas in the period in which Volterra began to work.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 0957.00059].