The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million
John Stuart Mill · en
learn a lesson which should make him blush at the "glory of war;"
and the proud, who despise the teachings of small things, might
learn to appreciate the truths that are linked to the story of a
"tinder-box."
CHAPTER XVII.
341. _Since all bodies expand by heat and contract by cold, why does
water, when it reaches the freezing point, expand?_
Because, in freezing, water undergoes crystallization, in which its
particles assume a new arrangement occupying _greater space_.
342. _Why does water never freeze to a great depth?_
Because the covering of ice which is formed upon the surface of the
water prevents the cold air from continuing to draw off the _caloric_
of the water.
[Verse: "For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to
the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength."--JOB XXXVII.]
343. _Why has this exceptional law of the expansion of water, when
freezing, been ordained?_
Because, but for this, deep waters might be frozen through their whole
depth. This would destroy the myriads of fish and other living things
that inhabit the water. Parts of the earth, now clad in verdure, would
be lost in eternal winter; and even in the most temperate zones it
would take months to effect a thaw; and thawing would be attended with
such floods and subterranean commotion as are terrible to contemplate.
344. _Why are bed-room windows sometimes covered with crystalline forms
on winter mornings?_
Because the vapour of the breaths of the inmates has condensed upon the
window-panes, and formed water. The water has frozen with the cold, and
exhibits the beautiful crystalline forms into which its particles are
arranged.
Here we have another domestic illustration of the great laws of
nature. It is the same law which locks the arctic regions in ice
and decorates our window-panes. This beautiful phenomenon is
usually witnessed by us on frosty mornings when we rise from our
beds. It has a story which the observer of nature may read in its
sparkling eyes. It tells that, although without the air is biting
cold, God has wrapped a mantle around the face of nature to keep
it from injury; and that the earth and the waters, though looking
chilled and dead, have still the warmth of life preserved in their
bosoms.
345. _What is dew?_
Dew is _watery vapour_ diffused in the air, _condensed_ by coming in
contact with bodies _colder than the atmosphere_.
346. _Why does the air become charged with watery vapour?_
Because, during the day, under the influence of the sun's rays, vapours
are _exhaled_ from all the moist and watery surfaces of the earth.
These vapours are _held in suspension_ in the atmosphere until, by a
change in the temperature of the earth, and of bodies on the surface of
the earth, they are _condensed_, and deposited in translucid drops.
347. _What causes the decline of temperature that favours the
deposition of dew?_