Abstract
Two distinct formulae for the mechanical force acting in a dielectric are to be found in the literature of the subject. One formula due to Helmholtz is obtained by use of the principle of energy and the other is derived very simply from the Poisson-Kelvin theory of polarization. In this paper it is shown that the second formula is consistent with the principle of energy and that Helmholtz's theory is incompatible with the Poisson-Kelvin views on the cause of dielectric behaviour.

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