In this portion of the work it is proposed to investigate in the light of known phenomena the possibility of energy transmission between separate masses. As explained above, the term separate is here meant to convey the idea of perfect isolation, and the only masses in Nature which truly satisfy this condition are the celestial and planetary bodies, separated as they are from one another by interplanetary space and in virtue of their energised condition (§ [5]). Since this state of separation cannot be experimentally realised under terrestrial conditions, it is obvious, therefore, that no purely terrestrial energy process can be advanced either as direct verification or direct disproof of a transmission of energy between such truly separate masses as the celestial bodies. But as we are unable to experiment directly on these bodies themselves or across interplanetary space, we are forced of necessity to rely, for experimental facts and conclusions, on the terrestrial energy phenomena to which access is possible. As already indicated in the General Statement (§ [11]), the same energy is bestowed on all parts of the cosmical system, and by the close observation of the phenomena of its action in familiar operations the truest guidance may be obtained as to its general nature and working. In such investigations, however, only the actual phenomena of the operation are of scientific or informative value. There is no gain to real knowledge in assuming, say in the examination of the phenomena of magnetic attraction between two bodies, that the one is urged towards the other by stresses in an intervening ethereal medium, when absolutely no phenomenal evidence of the existence of such a medium is available. It may be urged that the conception of an ethereal medium is adapted to the explanation of phenomena, and appears in many instances to fulfil this function. But as already pointed out (see Introduction), it is absolutely impossible to explain phenomena. So-called explanations must ever resolve themselves simply into revelations of further phenomena. While the value of true working hypotheses cannot be denied, it is surely evident that such hypotheses, unless they embody and are under the limitation of controlling facts, are not only useless, but, from the misleading ideas they are apt to convey, may even be dangerous factors in the search for truth. Now, if all speculative ideas or hypotheses are banished from the mind, and reliance is placed solely on the evidential phenomena of Nature, the study of terrestrial energy operations leads inevitably to certain conclusions on the question of energy transmission. In the first place, it must lead to the denial of what has been virtually the great primary assumption of modern science, namely, that a mass of material at a high temperature isolated in interplanetary space would radiate heat in all directions through that space. Such a conception is unsupported by our experimental or real knowledge of radiation. The fact that heat radiation takes place from a hot to a cold body in whatever direction the latter is placed relatively to the former, does not justify the assumption that such radiation takes place in all directions in the absence of a cold body. And since there is absolutely no manifestation of any real material medium occupying interplanetary space, no sign of the material agency or machine which the results of direct experiment have led us to conclude is a necessity for the transmission process of heat radiation, the whole conception must be regarded as at least doubtful. Even with our limited knowledge of radiation, the doctrine of heat radiation through space stands controverted by ordinary experimental experience. With this doctrine must fall also the allied conception of the transmission of heat energy by radiation from the sun to the earth. It is to be noted, however, that only the actual transmission of heat energy from the sun to the earth is inadmissible; the heating effect of the sun on the earth, which leads to the manifestation of terrestrial energy in the heat form, is a continuous operation readily explained in the light of the general principle of energy transformation already enunciated (§ [4]). With respect to other possible processes of energy transmission between the sun and the earth or across interplanetary space, the same general methods of experimental investigation must be adopted. The transmission of energy under terrestrial conditions is carried out in many different forms and by the working of a large variety of machines. In every case, no matter in what form the energy is transmitted, that energy must be associated with a definite arrangement of terrestrial material constituting the transmission machine. Each energy process of transmission has its own peculiar conditions of operation which must be completely satisfied. By the study of these conditions and the allied phenomena it is possible to gain a real knowledge of the precise circumstances in which the process can be carried out. Now let us apply the knowledge of transmission processes thus gained to the general celestial case, to the question of energy transmission between truly separate bodies, and particularly to the case of the sun and the earth. Do we find in this case any evidence of the presence of a machine for energy transmission? It is impossible, within the limits of this work, to deal with all the forms in which energy may be transmitted, but let the reader review any instance of the transmission of energy under terrestrial conditions, or any energy-transmission machine with which he is familiar, noting particularly the essential phenomena and material arrangements, and let him ask himself if there is any evidence of the existence of a machine of this kind in operation between the sun and the earth or across interplanetary space. We venture to assert that the answer must be in the negative. The real knowledge of terrestrial processes of energy transmission at command, on which all our deductions must be based, does not warrant in the slightest degree the assumption of transmission between the sun and the earth. The most plausible of such assumptions is undoubtedly that which attributes transmission to heat radiation, but this has already been shown to be at variance with well-known facts. The question of light transmission will offer no difficulty if it be borne in mind that light is not in itself a form of energy, but merely a manifestation of energy as an incepting influence, which like other incepting influences of a similar nature, can readily operate across either vacuous or interplanetary space (§ [19]).
On these general considerations, deduced from the observation of terrestrial phenomena, allied with the conception of energy machines and separate masses in space, the author bases one aspect of the denial of energy transmission between celestial masses. The doctrine of transmission cannot be sustained in the face of legitimate scientific deduction from natural phenomena. In the later parts of this work, and from a more positive point of view, the denial is completely justified.
31. Identification of Forms of Energy
Before leaving the question of energy transmission, there are still one or two interesting features to be considered. Although energy, as already pointed out, is ever found associated with matter, this association does not, in itself, always furnish phenomena sufficient to distinguish the precise phase in which the energy may be manifested. Some means must, as a rule, be adopted to isolate and identify the various forms.
Now one of the most interesting and important features of the process of energy transmission is that it usually provides the direct means for the identification of the acting energy. Energy, as it were, in movement, in the process of transmission, is capable of being detected in its different phases and recognised in each. The phenomena of transmission usually serve, either directly or indirectly, to portray the precise nature of the energy taking part in the operation. One of the most direct instances of this is provided by the transmission of heat energy. For illustrative purposes, let it be assumed that a body A, possessed of heat energy to an exceedingly high degree, is isolated within a spherical glass vessel CC, somewhat as already shown ([Fig. 6]). If it be assumed that the space within CC is a perfect vacuum, and that no material connection exists between the walls of the vessel and the body A, the latter is completely isolated, and no means whatever are available for the detection of its heat qualities (§ [30]). It may seem that, if the temperature of the body A were sufficiently high, its energy state might be detected, and in a manner estimated, by its effect on the eye or by its luminous properties, but we take this opportunity of pointing out that luminosity is not invariably associated with high temperature. On the contrary, many bodies are found in Nature, both animate and inanimate, which are luminous and affect the eye at comparatively low temperatures. How then is the energy condition of the body to be definitely ascertained? The only means whereby it is possible to identify the energy of the body is by transmitting a portion of that energy to some other body and observing the resultant phenomena. Suppose, then, another body, such as B ([Fig. 6]), at a lower temperature than A, is brought into contact with A, so that a transmission of heat energy ensues between the two. The phenomena which would result in such circumstances will be exactly as already described in the case of the transmission of energy through a solid (§ [27]). Amongst other manifestations it would be noticeable that the material of B was expanded against its inherent cohesive forces. Now if, instead of a spherical body such as B, a mercurial thermometer were utilised, the phenomena would be of precisely the same nature. A definite portion of the heat energy would be transmitted to the thermometer, and would produce expansion of the contained fluid. By the amount of this expansion it becomes possible to estimate the energy condition and properties of the body A, relative to its surroundings or to certain generally accepted standard conditions. Thermometric measurement is, in fact, merely the employment of a process of energy transmission for the purpose of identifying and estimating the heat-energy properties of material substances.
In everyday life, rough ideas of heat energy are constantly being obtained by the aid of the senses. This method is, however, only another aspect of transmission, for it will be clear that the sensations of heat and cold are, in themselves, but the evidence of the transformation of heat energy to or from the body.
The process of energy transmission by a flexible band or cord (§ [28]) also provides evidence leading to the identification of the peculiar form of energy which is being transmitted. At first sight, it would appear as if this energy were simply energy of motion or kinetic energy. A little reflection, however, on the general conditions of the process must dispel this idea, for it is clear that the precise nature of the energy transmitted has no real connection with the kinetic properties of the system. The latter, truly, influence the rate of transmission and impose certain limits, but evidently, if the pull in the band increases without any increase in its velocity, the actual amount of energy transmitted by the system would increase without altering in any respect the kinetic properties. It becomes necessary, then, to distinguish clearly the energy inherent to, or as it were, latent in the system, from the energy actually transmitted by the system, to recognise the difference between the energy transmitted by moving material and the energy of that material. In this special instance, to identify the form of energy transmitted it must of necessity be associated with the peculiar phenomena of transmission. Now the energy is evidently transmitted by the movement of the connecting belt or band. Before any transmission can take place, however, a certain amount of energy must be stored in the moving system, partly as cohesion or strain energy and partly as energy of motion or kinetic energy. It is this preliminary storage of energy which, in reality, constitutes the transmission machine, and for a given rate of transmission, the energy thus stored will be constant in value. It is obtained at the expense of the applied energy, and, neglecting certain minor processes, will be returned (or transmitted) in its entirety when the moving system once more comes to rest. This stored energy, in fact, works in a reversible process. But when the transmission machine is once constituted, the energy transmitted is then that energy which is being continually applied at the spindle A ([Fig. 4]) and as continually withdrawn at the spindle B. It must be emphasised that the energy thus transmitted is absolutely different from the kinetic or other energy associated with the moving material of the system. It is the function of this energised material of the band to transmit the energy from A to B, but this is the only relationship which the transmitted energy bears to the material. The energy thus transmitted by the moving material we term mechanical or work energy. We may thus define mechanical or work energy as "that form of energy transmitted by matter in motion."
The idea of work is usually associated with that of a force acting through a certain distance. The form of energy referred to above as work energy is, in the same way, always associated with the idea of a thrust or of a pressure of some kind acting on moving material. Work energy thus bears two aspects, which really correspond to the familiar product of pressure and volume. Both aspects are manifested in transmission. Since work energy is invariably transmitted by matter in motion, every machine for its transmission must possess energy of motion as one of its essential features. As shown above (see also § [28]), this energy of motion is really obtained at the expense of the originally applied work energy, and as it remains unaltered in value during the progress of a uniform transmission, it may be regarded as simply transformed work energy, stored or latent in the system, which will be returned in its entirety and in its original form at the termination of the operation. The energy stored against cohesion or other forces may be regarded in the same way. It is really the manifestation of the pressure or thrust aspect of the work energy, just as the kinetic energy is the manifestation of the translational or velocity aspect.
Our definition of work energy given above enables us to recognise its operation in many familiar processes. Take the case of a gas at high pressure confined in a cylinder behind a movable piston. We can at once say that the energy of the gas is work energy because this energy may quite clearly be transmitted from the gas by the movement of the piston. If the latter form part of a steam-engine mechanism of rods and crank, the energy may, by the motion of this mechanism, be transmitted to the crank shaft, and there utilised. This is eminently a case in which energy is transmitted by matter in motion. The moving material comprises the piston, piston-rod, and connecting-rod, which are, one and all, endowed with both cohesive and kinetic energy qualities, and form together the transmission machine. So long as the piston is at rest only one aspect of the work energy of the gas is apparent, namely, the pressure aspect, but immediately motion and transmission take place, both aspects are presented. The work energy of the gas, obtained in the boiler by a transformation of heat energy is thus, by matter in motion, transmitted and made available at the crank shaft. The shaft itself is also commonly utilised for the further transmission of the work energy applied. By the application of the energy at the crank, it is thrown into a state of strain, and at the same time is endowed with kinetic energy of rotation. It thus forms a machine for transmission, and the work energy applied at one point of the shaft may be withdrawn at another point more remote. The transmission is, in reality, effected by the movement of the material of the shaft. So long as the shaft is stationary, it is clear that no actual transmission can be carried out, no matter how great may be the strain imposed. If our engine mechanism were, by a change in design, adapted to the use of a liquid substance as the working material instead of a gas, it is clear that no change would be effected in the general conditions. The energy of a liquid under pressure is again simply work energy, and it would be transmitted by the moving mechanism in precisely the same manner.