Vortex theory \Vortex theory\ (Chem. & Physics)
The theory, advanced by Thomson (Lord Kelvin) on the basis of
investigation by Helmholtz, that the atoms are vortically
moving ring-shaped masses (or masses of other forms having a
similar internal motion) of a homogeneous, incompressible,
frictionless fluid. Various properties of such atoms (
{vortex atoms}) can be mathematically deduced.