Book Description

Excerpt from The Analysis of Light: A Force of Nature The forces of nature, so called, are all alike and are really but one force. The seeming variations produced are the direct result of the manner in which this force is applied upon inert matter, the elements and different bodies. This same force, acting in conjunction with cer tain elements, will produce and impress upon the visual nerves that which is called Light, while this very same force, acting upon other gaseous matters, will impart the sensation of sound motion, or give the impression of heat. The difference in the manifestations of these results is due entirely to the nature of the elements upon which and the manner in which the energy is applied. The force, however, is one and the same. This being so, whenever energy is applied, one or more of these results must become manifest. Frequently, light, sound, heat and motion will jointly result from the same exertion of energy, as is illustrated by the discharge of a fire-arm. It is this same invisible force which rotates the earth, moves the ocean and the atmosphere, creates the seasons, provides those elements which are essential to the continuance of life, and gives life itself to the animals and the vegetable kingdom. A complete understanding of this universal force will be necessary before satisfactory knowledge of its various phenomena can be obtained. Light is the result of energy, and as such is conveyed across space and felt upon the visual nerves. It is a force which can be measured and accounted for in every respect. There can be no imaginary waves of rarefied and condensed air vibrating themselves into Space by a sort of perpetual motion movement, nor can we have any corpuscles of light passing through an imaginary ethereal medium, there is no cause or reason for the same. Light is always a chemical action, while sound is a mechanical operation and heat the result of molecular resistance. We thus have the principal differences between the three forces. Therefore, when ever energy is applied and these three actions, the chemical, the mechanical and the molecular, occur together, the result will be light, sound and heat. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.