The unity of the physical sciences : being an inquiry into the causes of gravitation and polarity, with an application of the results to some of the principal phænomena in each of the physical sciences / by John Dickson.

  • Dickson, John, 1974-
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The unity of the physical sciences : being an inquiry into the causes of gravitation and polarity, with an application of the results to some of the principal phænomena in each of the physical sciences / by John Dickson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CHAPTER ir. ON GEAVTTATXON- Fig. 1. 12. Let E and S be two equal atoms of matter, at sucli a distance from each other that, at S, the rays of force flowing to R may be considered parallel. Leaving P and T out of consideration for the present, outer hemisphere c^Dc of S must intercept a part of the force flowing to inner hemisphere hKa of R; but, as this latter must intercept an equal portion of the curve flowing from S, the pressure on it must remain unaltered. Outer hemisphere of R, however, whilst its oAvn inward curve im- piages on it iinaltered, must intercept a portion of the force flowing to S ; and, the pressure on the outer beiag thus greater than the pressure on the inner hemisphere, R must move toward S. Similarly, S must move toward R. The force with which the two atoms thus approach each other must evidently increase as the square of the distance between them decreases. 13. If no force had emanated from atom R, then, after passing R, the elasticity of inward curve S would, as it con- tracted, have pressed the parted ends a and h together; and, when the curve reached the atom, the force would have been equally cUstributed over both hemispheres. If the efl'ect of this resistance be to cause the force of inward curve S to proceed, after passing R, in straight lines toward every point of the