James Weir - The Energy System of Matter - A Deduction from Terrestrial Energy Phenomena

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.

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.

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.