Kitabı oku: «The Energy System of Matter: A Deduction from Terrestrial Energy Phenomena», sayfa 2

6. Passive Function and General Nature of Gravitation Field

From the phenomena described above, it will be observed that, in the energy processes of transformation occurring in both primary and planet, the function of the gravitation field or influence is entirely passive in nature. The field is, in truth, the persistent moving or directing power behind the energy processes, the incepting energy influence or agency which determines the nature of the transformation in each case without being, in any way, actively engaged in it. In accelerating or retarding the transformation process it has thus absolutely no effect. These features are controlled by other factors. Neither does this incepting agency affect, in any way, the limits of the transformation process, these limits being prescribed by the physical or energy qualities of the acting materials. In general nature the gravitation field appears to be simply an energy influence—a peculiar manifestation of certain passive qualities of energy. This aspect will, however, become clearer to the reader when the properties of gravitation are studied in conjunction with those of other incepting energy influences (§§ 17, 18, 19).

7. Limit of Gravitation Transformation

In the case of a planetary body, there is a real limit to the extent of the transformation of its orbital energy of motion under the influence of the gravitation field. As the orbit of the planet widens, and its mean distance from the primary becomes greater, its velocity in its orbital path must correspondingly decrease. As already pointed out (§ 5), this decrease is simply the result of the orbital energy of motion being transformed or worked down into energy of position. But since this orbital energy is strictly limited in amount, a point must ultimately be reached where it would be transformed in its entirety into energy of position. When this limiting condition is attained, the planet clearly could have no orbital motion; it would be instantaneously at rest in somewhat the same way as a projectile from the earth's surface is at rest at the summit of its flight in virtue of the complete transformation of its energy of motion into energy of position. In this limiting condition, also, the energy of position of the planet would be the maximum possible, and its orbital energy zero. The scope of the planetary orbital path is thus rigidly determined by the planetary energy properties. Assuming the reduction of gravity with distance to follow the usual law of inverse squares, the value of the displacement of the planet from the central axis when in this stationary or limiting position may be readily calculated if the various constants are known. In any given case it is obvious that this limiting displacement must be a finite quantity, since the planetary orbital energy which is being worked down is itself finite in amount.

8. Interactions of Two Planetary Bodies—Equilibrium Phenomena

Up to the present point, the cosmical system has been assumed to be composed of one planetary body only in addition to the primary mass. It is clear, however, that by repetition of the process already described, the system could readily evolve more than one planet; it might, in fact, have several planetary masses originating in the same primary, each endowed with a definite modicum of energy, and each pursuing a persistent orbit round the central axis of the system. Since the mass of the primary decreases as each successive planet is cast off, its gravitative attractive powers will also decrease, and with every such decline in the central restraining force the orbits of the previously constituted planets will naturally widen. By the formation in this way of a series of planetary masses, the material of the original primary body would be as it were distributed over a larger area or space, and this separation would be accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the gravitative attraction between the several masses. If the distributive or disruptive process were carried to its limit by the continuous application of rotatory energy to each separate unit of the system, this limit would be dependent on the capacity of the system for energy. As is shown later (§ 20), this capacity would be determined by the mass of the system.

For simplicity, let us consider the case in which there are two planetary bodies only in the system in addition to the primary. In virtue of the gravitative attraction or gravitation field between the two, they will mutually attract one another in their motion, and each will, in consequence, be deflected more or less out of that orbital path which it would normally pursue in the absence of the other. This attraction will naturally be greatest when the planets are in the closest proximity; the planet having the widest orbit will then be drawn inwards towards the central axis, the other will be drawn outwards. The distance moved in this way by each will depend on its mass, and on the forces brought to bear on it by the combined action of the two remaining masses of the system. Moving thus in different directions, the motion of each planet is carried out in the lines of the gravitation field between the two. One planet, therefore, gains and the other loses energy of position with respect to the central axis of the system. The one planet can thus influence, to some extent, the energy properties of the other, although there is absolutely no direct energy communication between the two; as shown hereafter, the whole action and the energy change will be due simply to the motion carried out in the field of the incepting gravitation influence.

It is clear, however, that this influence is exerted on the distribution of the energy, on the form in which it is manifested, and in no way affects the energy totality of either planet. Each, as before, remains a separate system with conservative energy properties. That planet which loses energy of position gains energy of motion, and is correspondingly accelerated in its orbital path; the other, in gaining energy of position, does so at the expense of its own energy of motion, and is retarded accordingly. The action is really very simple in nature when viewed from a purely energy standpoint. It has been dealt with in some detail in order to emphasise the fact that there is absolutely nothing in the nature of a transmission of energy between one planet and the other. Taking a superficial view of the operation, it might be inferred that, as the planets approach one another, energy of motion (or energy of position) is transmitted from one to the other, causing one to retard and the other to accelerate its movement, but a real knowledge of the energy conditions shows that the phenomenon is rather one of a simple restoration of equilibrium, a redistribution or transformation of the intrinsic energy of each to suit these altering conditions. Each planet is, in the truest sense, a separate mass in space.

9. Axial Energy—Secondary Processes

Passing now to another aspect of the energy condition of a planetary body, let the planet be assumed to be endowed with axial energy or energy of rotation, so that, while pursuing its orbital path in space, it also rotates with uniform angular velocity about an axis within itself. What will be the effect of the primary mass on the planet under these new energy conditions? We conceive that the effect is again purely one of transformation. In this process the primary mass functions once more as an entirely passive or incepting agent, which, while exerting a continuous transforming influence on the planet, does not affect in any way the inherent energy properties of the latter. Up to the present point we have only dealt with one incepting influence in transformation processes, namely, that of gravitation, which has always been manifested as an attractive force. It is not to be supposed, however, that this is the only aspect in which incepting influences may be presented. Although attractive force is certainly an aspect of some incepting influences, it is not a distinctive feature of incepting influences generally. In many cases, the aspect of force, in the sense of attraction or repulsion, is entirely awanting. In the new order of transformations which come into play in virtue of the rotatory motion of a planetary mass in the field of its primary, we shall find other incepting influences in action entirely different in nature from the gravitation influence, but, nevertheless, arising from the same primary mass in a similar way. Now the application of energy to the planet, causing it to rotate in the lines or under the influence of these incepting fields of the primary, brings into existence on the planet an entirely new order of phenomena. So long as the planet had no axial motion of rotation, some of the incepting influences of the primary were compelled, as it were, to inaction; but with the advent of axial energy the conditions are at once favourable to their action, and to the detection of their transforming effects. In accordance with the general principle already enunciated (§ 4), the action of the planetary energised material in the lines of the various incepting fields of the primary is productive of energy transformations. The active energy of these transformations is the axial or energy rotatory of the planet itself, and, in virtue of these transformations, certain other forms of energy will be manifested on the planet and associated with the various forms of planetary material. These manifestations of energy, in fact, constitute planetary phenomena. Since the action or movement of the rotating material of the planet through the incepting fields of the primary is most pronounced in the equatorial or regions of highest linear velocity, and least in the regions of low velocity adjoining the poles of rotation, the transforming effect may naturally be expected to decrease in intensity from equator to poles. Planetary energy phenomena will thus vary according to the location of the acting material. It will be clear, also, that each incepting agency or influence associated with the primary mass will give rise to its own peculiar transformations of axial energy on the planetary surface. These leading or primary transformations of axial energy, in which the incepting influence is associated with the primary mass only, we term primary processes. But it is evident that the various forms of energy thus set free on the planet as a result of the primary processes will be communicated to, and will operate on, the different forms of planetary material, and will give rise to further or secondary transformations of energy, in which the incepting agency is embodied in or associated with planetary material only. The exact nature of these secondary transformations will vary according to the circumstances in which they take place. Each of them, however, as indicated above, will be, in itself, carried out in virtue of some action of the energised planetary material in the lines or field of what we might term a secondary incepting influence. The latter, however, must not be confused with the influences of the primary. It is essentially a planetary phenomenon, an aspect of planetary energy; it is associated with the physical or material machine by means of which the secondary process of transformation is carried out. The nature of this secondary influence will determine the nature of the secondary transformation in each case. Its precise extent may be limited by other considerations (§ 15).

As an example, assume a portion of the axial energy to be primarily transformed into heat in virtue of the planet's rotation in the field of an independent thermal incepting influence exerted by the primary. To the action of this agency, which we might term the thermal field, we assume are due all primary heating phenomena of planetary material. Now the secondary transformations will take place when the heat energy thus manifested is applied to some form of matter. It is obvious, however, that this application might be carried out in various ways. Heat may be devoted to the expansion of a solid against its cohesive forces. It may be expended against the elastic forces of a gas, or it may be worked down against chemical or electrical forces. In every case a transformation of energy will result, varying in nature according to the peculiar conditions under which it is carried out. In this or a similar fashion each primary incepting influence may give rise to a series of secondary actions more or less complex in nature. These secondary transformation processes, allied with other processes of transmission, will, in fact, constitute the visible phenomena of the planet, and in their variety will exactly correspond to these phenomena.

With regard to the gravitation field, its general influence on the rotating mass may be readily predicted. The material on that part of the planetary surface which is nearest to or happens to face the primary in rotation is, during the short time it occupies that position, subjected to a greater attractive influence than the remainder which is more remote from the primary. It will, in consequence, tend to be more or less distorted or elevated above its normal position on the planetary surface. This distorting effect will vary in degree according to the nature of the material, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, but the general effect of the distortional movement, combined with the rotatory motion of the planet, will be to produce a tidal action or a periodical rise and fall of the more fluid material distributed over the planetary surface. The distortion will, of course, be accompanied by energy processes in which axial energy will be transformed into heat and other forms, which will finally operate in the secondary processes exactly as in previous cases.

10. Mechanism of Energy Return

But the question now arises, as to how this continuous transformation of the axial energy can be consistent with that condition of uniformity of rotation of the planet which was originally assumed. If the total energy of the planetary mass is limited, and if it can receive no increment of energy from any external source, it is clear that the axial energy transformed must, by some process, be continuously returned to its original form. Some process or mechanism is evidently necessary to carry out this operation. This mechanism we conceive to be provided by certain portions of the material of the planet, principally the gaseous matter which resides on its surface, completely enveloping it, and extending outwards into space (§ 38). In other words, the atmosphere of the planet forms the machine or material agency by which this return of the transformed axial energy is carried out. It has already been pointed out (§ 9) how the working energy of every secondary transformation is derived from the original axial energy of the planet itself. Each of these secondary transformations, however, forms but one link of one cyclical chain of secondary transformations, in which a definite quantity of energy, initially in the axial form, passes, in these secondary operations, through various other forms, by different processes and through the medium of different material machines, until it is eventually absorbed into the atmosphere of the planet. These complete series of cyclical operations, by which the various portions of axial energy are carried to the atmosphere, may in some cases be of a very simple nature, and may be continuously repeated over very short intervals of time; in other cases, the cycle may seem obscure and complicated, and its complete operation spread over very long periods, but in all cases the final result is the same. The axial energy abstracted, sooner or later, recurs to the atmospheric machine. By its action in this machine, great masses of gaseous material are elevated from the surface of the planet against the attractive force of gravitation; the energy will thus now appear in the form of potential energy or energy of position. By a subsequent movement of these gaseous masses over the surface of the planet from the regions of high velocity towards the poles, combined with a movement of descent to lower levels, the energy of position with which they were endowed is returned once more in the original axial form.

This, roughly, constitutes the working of the planetary atmospheric machine, which, while in itself completely reversible and self-contained, forms also at the same time the source and the sink of all the energy working in the secondary transformations. In the ceaseless rounds of these transformations which form planetary phenomena it links together the initial and concluding stages of each series by a reversible process. Energy is thus stored and restored continuously. The planet thus neither gains nor loses energy of axial motion; so far as its energy properties are concerned, it is entirely independent of every external influence. Its uniformity of rotation is absolutely maintained. Each planet of the system will, in the same way, be an independent and conservative unit.

11. Review of Cosmical System—General Function of Energy

Reviewing the system as a whole, the important part played by energy in its constitution is readily perceived. The source of the energy which operates in all parts of the system is found in that energy originally applied (§ 3). When the system is finally constituted, this energy is found distributed amongst the planets, each of which has received its share, and each of which is thereby linked to the primary by its influence. It is part of this same energy which undergoes transformation in virtue of the orbital movements of the planets in the field of the gravitative influence. Again, it is found in the form of planetary axial energy, and thence, under the influence of various incepting agencies, it passes in various forms through the whole gamut of planetary phenomena, and finally functions in the atmospheric machine. Every phenomenon of the system, great or small, is, in fact, but the external evidence either of the transformation or of the transmission of this energy—the outward manifestation of its changed or changing forms. Its presence, which always implies its transformation (§ 4), is the simple primary condition attached to every operation. The primal mass originally responded to the application of energy by the presentation of phenomena. Every material portion of the system will similarly respond according to circumstances. Energy is, in fact, the working spirit of the whole cosmical scheme. It is the influence linking every operation of the system to the original transformations at the central axis, so that all may be combined into one complete and consistent whole. It is to be noted, however, that although they have a common origin the orbital energy of each planetary mass is entirely distinct from its energy of axial rotation, and is not interchangeable therewith. The transformation of the one form of energy in no way affects the totality of the other.

The disruption of the primary mass furnishes a view of what is virtually the birth of gravitation as it is conceived to exist between separate bodies. It may now be pointed out that the attractive influence of gravitation is, in reality, but one of the many manifestations of energy of the system. It is not, however, an active manifestation of the working energy, but rather an aspect of energy as it is related to the properties of matter. We have absolutely no experimental experience of matter devoid of energy. Gravitation might readily be termed an energy property of matter, entirely passive in nature, and requiring the advent of some other form in order that it may exercise its function as an incepting agency.

From a general consideration of the features of this system, in which every phenomenon is an energy phenomenon, it seems feasible to conclude also that every property of matter is likewise an energy property. It is certain, indeed, that no reasonable or natural concept of either matter or energy is possible if the two be dissociated. The system also presents a direct and clear illustration of the principles of conservation in the working of the whole, and also in each planetary unit.