PART I
GENERAL STATEMENT
1. Advantages of General View of Natural Operations
The object of this statement is to outline and illustrate, in simple fashion, a broad and general conception of the operation and interaction of matter and energy in natural phenomena.
Such a conception may be of value to the student of Nature, in several ways. In modern times the general tendency of scientific work is ever towards specialisation, with its corresponding narrowness of view. A broad outlook on Nature is thus eminently desirable. It enables the observer to perceive to some extent the links uniting the apparently most insignificant of natural processes to those of seemingly greater magnitude and importance. In this way a valuable idea of the natural world as a whole may be gained, which will, in turn, tend generally to clarify the aspect of particular operations. A broad general view of Nature also leads to the appreciation of the full significance of the great doctrines of the conservation of matter and energy. By its means the complete verification of these doctrines, which appears to be beyond human experiment, may be traced on the face of Nature throughout the endless chain of natural processes. Such a view also leads to a firm grasp of the essential nature and qualities of energy itself so far as they are revealed by its general function in phenomena.
2. Separate Mass in Space
In the scheme now to be outlined, matter and energy are postulated at the commencement without reference to their ultimate origin or inherent nature. They are accepted, in their diverse forms, precisely as they are familiar from ordinary terrestrial experience and phenomena.
For the purpose of general illustration the reader is asked to conceive a mass of heterogeneous matter, concentrated round a given point in space, forming a single body. This mass is assumed to be assembled and to obtain its coherent form in virtue of that universal and inherent property of matter, namely, gravitative or central attraction. This property is independent of precise energy conditions, its outward manifestation being found simply in the persistent tendency of matter on all occasions to press or force itself into the least possible space. In the absence of all disturbing influences, therefore, the configuration of this mass of matter, assumed assembled round the given point, would naturally, under the influence of this gravitative tendency, resolve itself into that of a perfect sphere. The precise magnitude or dimensions of the spherical body thus constituted are of little moment in the discussion, but, for illustrative purposes, it may, in the meantime, be assumed that in mass it is equivalent to our known solar system. It is also assumed to be completely devoid of energy, and as a mass to be under the influence of no external constraint. Under these conditions, the spherical body may obviously be assumed as stationary in space, or otherwise as moving with perfectly uniform velocity along a precisely linear path. Either conception is justifiable. The body has no relative motion, and since it is absolutely unconstrained no force could be applied to it and no energy expenditure would be required for its linear movement.
3. Advent of Energy—Distortional Effects
Nature, however, does not furnish us with any celestial or other body fulfilling such conditions. Absolutely linear motion is unknown, and matter is never found divorced from energy. To complete the system, therefore, the latter factor is required, and, with the advent of energy to the mass, its prototype may be found in the natural world.