In Russian. Short description: I. Meshchersky. Problem from the dynamics of variable masses. Petrograd, 1918. Ivan Vsevolodovich Meshchersky (July 29 [August 10], 1859, Arkhangelsk – January 7, 1935, Leningrad) – Russian mechanical scientist, founder of the mechanics of systems of variable composition (systems of variable mass). Member of the St. Petersburg Mathematical Society. On December 1 (13), 1897, 15 years after graduating from the university, Meshchersky successfully defended his dissertation at St.IV Meshchersky is the author of a number of works on general mechanics, but his studies on the dynamics of a point of variable mass are best known. The work Dynamics of a point of variable mass (1897) became fundamental in the process of formation of the mechanics of systems of variable mass. In Meshchersky’s second outstanding work, The Equations of Motion of a Point of Variable Mass in the General Case (1904), his theory received its final and most elegant expression. Here he establishes and investigates the general equation of motion of a point, the mass of which changes from the simultaneous process of attachment and separation of material particles (now this equation is known as the Meshchersky equation). IV Meshchersky not only developed the theoretical foundations of the dynamics of a variable mass point, but also considered a large number of particular problems about the motion of such points. He subjected to a very detailed study the motion of a point of variable mass under the action of a central force, thereby laying the foundations for the celestial mechanics of bodies of variable mass. The enormous practical significance of I. V. Meshchersky’s research in the field of mechanics of a point of variable mass was revealed with sufficient completeness only after the end of the Second World War, when mankind came close to (and then started) the exploration of outer space. Please feel free to contact us for a detailed description of the copies available. SKUMS001913