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.
12. Natural Conditions
It will be noted that, up to the present point, the cosmical system has been discussed from a purely abstract point of view. This method has been adopted for a definite reason. Although able, at all points, to bring more or less direct evidence from Nature, the author has no desire that his scheme should be regarded in any way as an attempt to originate or describe a system of creation. The object has been, by general reasoning from already accepted properties of matter and energy, to arrive at a true conception of a possible natural order of phenomena. It is obvious, however, that the solar system forms the prototype of the system described above. The motion of the earth and other planets is continuously occurring under the influence of gravitation, thermal, luminous, and other incepting fields which link them to the central mass, the sun. As a result of the action of such fields, energy transformations arise which form the visible phenomena of the system in all its parts, each transformation, whether associated with animate or inanimate matter, being carried out through the medium of some arrangement of matter hereafter referred to as a material machine. The conditions are precisely as laid down above. The system is dominated, in its separate units, and as a whole, by the great principle of the conservation of energy. Each planetary mass, as it revolves in space, is, so far as its energy properties are concerned, an absolutely conservative unit of that system. At the same time, however, each planetary mass remains absolutely dependent on the primary for those great controlling or incepting influences which determine the transformation of its inherent energy.
In the special case of the earth, which will be dealt with in some detail, it is the object of this work to show that its property of complete energy conservation is amply verified by terrestrial phenomena. The extension of the principle from the earth to the whole planetary system has been made on precisely the same grounds as Newton extended the observed phenomena to his famous generalisation with respect to gravitation.
PART II
PRINCIPLES OF INCEPTION
13. Illustrative Secondary Processes
In this part of the work, an attempt will be made to place before the reader some of the purely