The Energy System of Matter: A Deduction from Terrestrial Energy PhenomenaWeir, James, active 1883-1912
Science
The Energy System of Matter: A Deduction from Terrestrial Energy Phenomena
Weir, James, active 1883-1912
Force and energy
melting-point of the material, liquefaction takes place, and its
cohesive properties almost vanish. In this fashion, then, a limit is
clearly imposed on the process of heat transformation in the solid
body--a limit defined by the cohesive or physical properties of the
particular material. In this limiting power lies the difference between
cohesion and magnetism as incepting influences. Looking at the whole
dynamo-electric transformation in a general way, it will be clear that
the magnetic influence in no way limits or affects the amount of
dynamical or "work" energy which may be applied to the rotating sphere.
This amount is limited simply by the cohesive properties of the material
mass in rotation. The magnetic influence might, in fact, be regarded as
the primary or inducing factor in the system, and the cohesion influence
as the secondary or limiting factor.
16. _Terrestrial Gravitation as an Incepting Influence_
The attractive influence of gravitation appears as an incepting agency
in terrestrial as well as in celestial phenomena. In fact, of all the
agencies which incept energy transformations on the earth, gravitation,
in one form or another, is the most universal and the most important.
Gravitation being a property of all matter, no mundane body, animate or
inanimate, is exempt from its all-pervading influence, and every
movement of energised matter within the field of that influence leads
inevitably to energy transformation.
Let us take a concrete illustration. A block of solid material is
supported on a horizontal table. By means of a cord attached, energy is
applied to the block from an external source, so that it slides over the
surface of the table. As a result of this motion and the associated
frictional process, heat energy will make its appearance at the sliding
surfaces of contact. This heat energy is obviously obtained by the
transformation of that energy originally applied to the block from the
external source. What is the incepting influence in this process of
transformation? The incepting influence is clearly the gravitative
attraction of the earth operating between the moving block and the
table. The frictional process, it is well known, is dependent in extent
or degree on the pressure between the surfaces in contact. This pressure
is, of course, due to the gravitative attraction of the earth on the
mass of the block. If it be removed, say by supporting the block from
above, the heat-transformation process at the surfaces at once
terminates. Gravity, then, is the primary incepting influence of the
process. The effect of gravitation in transformation has apparently been
eliminated by supporting the block from above and removing the pressure
between block and table. It is not really so, however, because the
pressure due to the gravitative attraction of the earth on the block has
in reality only been transferred to this new point of support, and if a
movement of the block is carried out it will be found that the heat
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account