The Machinery of the Universe

Book Excerpt: ...a] into beta], of beta] into gamma]. If we should consider the amount of transfer motion instead of the kind of motion, we should have to say that the alpha] energy had been transformed into beta] and the beta] into gamma]. Illustration: FIG. 1.] Illustration: FIG. 2.]What a given amount of energy will do depends only upon its form, that is, the kind of motion that embodies it.The energy spent upon a stone thrown into the air, giving it translatory motion, would, if spent upon a tuning fork, make it sound, but not move it from its place; while if spent upon a top, would enable the latter to stand upon its point as easily as a person stands on his two feet, and to do other surprising things, which otherwise it could not do. One can, without difficulty, form a mechanical conception of the whole series without assuming imponderables, or fluids or forces. Mechanical motion only, by pressure, has been transferred in certain directions at certain rates. Suppose now thClose...