force and Nature: Attraction and Repulsion |
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absolute abstract actinic action and reaction active antithetic aphelion appear asteroids astronomers atoms attraction and repulsion attractive force become celestial celestial dynamics central forces centre character chemical chemical affinity chemical elements comets condensation connexion constitution correlated cosmical bodies cosmical forces cosmical repulsion demonstrated developed discussions dynamic earth earthquakes effects electricity elements entities eruptive exist experimental facts forces of attraction forms functions gases globe gravitation heat inductive intensity internal laws light luminous magnetism manner mathematical matter and force mechanical energy mechanical force mechanical power mole molecular attraction molecular forces molecular repulsion molecules motion mutual nature numerical observations orbits perihelic perihelion pheno phenomena phenomenon philosophy photosphere physical physicists planet planetary platinum plutonic polar positive present principle propagated quantities radical forces repulsion and attraction repulsive force secondary forces seismic solar solar mass solid space spring surface terrestrial theory thermic tion truth universal vapour vibrations vis viva
Popular passages
Page 294 - Heat is a very brisk agitation of the insensible parts of the object, which produces in us that sensation from whence we denominate the object hot ; so what in our sensation, is heat, in the object is nothing but motion.
Page 6 - When any metal is put into common water, the water cannot enter into its pores, to act on it and dissolve it. Not that water consists of too gross parts for this purpose, but because it is unsociable to metal. For there is a certain secret principle in nature, by which liquors are sociable to some things and unsociable to others ; thus water will not mix with oil...
Page 8 - ... lead you into error. For they are begotten with an upward tendency, and in the same direction receive increase, and goodly crops and trees grow upwards, though their weights, so far as in them is, all tend downwards.
Page 9 - ... has been begotten in us, since we see that nothing can come from nothing. For weight forbids that all things be done by blows through, as it were, an outward force; but that the mind itself does not feel an internal necessity in all its actions, and is not, as it were, overmastered and compelled to bear and put up with this, is caused by a minute swerving of atoms at no fixed part of space and no fixed time.
Page 7 - For my own part, I have so little fancy to things of this nature, that had not your encouragement moved me to it, I should never, I think, have thus far set pen to paper about...
Page 398 - ... surface. The final velocity of the former, just before striking the sun, would be 390 miles a second, that of the latter 276 miles a second. The asteroid, on striking the sun, with the former velocity, would...
Page 101 - ... the path by which they escaped was covered with lava ten minutes after they passed over it. On ascending the ridge we found the eruption in full blast. Four enormous fountains, apparently distinct from each other, and yet forming a line a mile long, north and south, were continually spouting up from the opening. These jets were blood-red and yet as fluid as water, ever varying in size, bulk, and height. Sometimes two would join together, and again the whole four would be united, making one continuous...
Page 295 - It is hardly necessary to add, that anything which any insulated body, or system of bodies, can continue to furnish without limitation, cannot possibly be a material substance ; and it appears to me to be extremely difficult, if not quite impossible, to form any distinct idea of anything capable of being excited and communicated in the manner the Heat was excited and communicated in these experiments, except it be MOTION.
Page 404 - The amount of heat thus developed would be equal to that derived from the combustion of fourteen globes of coal, each equal to the earth in magnitude. And...
Page 398 - ... transcends all terrestrial combustion. In the fall of asteroids we find the means of producing the solar light and heat. It may be contended that this showering down of matter necessitates the growth of the sun; it does so; but the quantity necessary to maintain the observed calorific emission for 4000 years, would defeat the scrutiny of our best instruments.