Virtual mass and polarization

In this paper we deal with two classical problems of Potential Theory arising in Hydrodynamics and in the Theory of Electricity, respectively. They are the problems of virtual mass and polarization. In order to understand the dual character of these problems, we shall proceed in a more general way, studying certain formal and other interconnections of the Neumann and Dirichlet problems. The chief definitions, problems, and results are formulated in the somewhat extended introductory Chapter I. This investigation was carried out under the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research to which a preliminary report on this subject was submitted (April 17, 1948).