Belgische bijdragen tot de thermodynamisch verklaring van de Brownse beweging

SUMMARY: Several Belgian physicists have made contributions to the understanding of Brownian movement. In particular the kinetic-molecular explanations given by three Jesuits, Carbonelle, Delsaulx and Thirion have attracted attention. Their explanations were countered by Van Der Mensbrugghe, who propounded an interpretation based on surface tension. It is shown how their views reflected general conceptions on the aims and method of science.