Return to Physics of the Ether

155. The mode in which the supply of energy by the ether is influenced by the demand constitutes a noteworthy point; and to illustrate this somewhat further, we may trace the steps of the process backwards in the previous illustrative case of the gun- powder, this serving as a type of molecular actions. If we regard the gaseous molecules impinging against the advancing shot within the bore of the gun, and selecting any one molecule, then this

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molecule, in being driven against the shot, must have rebounded from some other molecule in the rear. The intercepted pulsating ether column, therefore, which caused the mutual rebound of the two molecules (thereby propelling the molecule against the shot), accordingly lost by transference an amount of vibrating energy equivalent to the work done; or, in other words, at the rebound of the two gaseous molecules, both the intercepted ether column and the molecules themselves lost vibratory motion by its con- version into translatory motion. This loss of vibratory motion by each compound gaseous molecule, however, disturbs the equilibrium of the ether pressure between its vibrating components. The ether accordingly comes into action, readjusting the equilibrium of pressure by urging the components into closer proximity, thereby developing fresh vibrating energy, and by its conversion into translatory motion giving a fresh impulse to the shot; and thus the advance of the shot along the bore of the gun by this special physical process brings the ether into fresh action, or the demand for energy entailed by the advance of the shot causes a fresh supply. It forms a beautiful mechanical process to con- template the expanding gas as the shot advances, followed by the closer approach of the components of the compound molecules under the action of the intense ether pressure, the attendant partial renewal of vibrating energy, and its instant conversion into translatory motion, whereby the action directed against the shot is renewed, the ether following up the effort in a beautiful manner, and adjusting the supply of energy in accordance with the requirements of the work. By this special physical process, therefore, not only is the initial production of heat moderated, and the development of heat equalized by being spread over a certain interval of time; but what is more important, the initial strain upon the gun is moderated, and instead of the intense initial heat and strain that would result were all the energy expended by the ether concentrated in the first instant of the explosion, the energy of the ether is held to a certain extent in reserve, and part is given off after the shot has had time to get in motion, the strain against the gun being thus equalized, and the effort directed against the shot thereby finely graduated by being spread over a certain interval of time.

156. If we imagine a case where gunpowder is exploded in a perfectly closed vessel, strong enough to bear the pressure without yielding, then here no means whatever are given for the performance of work beyond the slow communication of vibratory motion (heat) to the molecules forming the sides of the vessel, so that, therefore, the action of the ether would be checked, or its energy would be held in reserve. The components in the process of combination would be merely driven in a short distance towards each other, their farther approach being checked by the absence of means for utilizing their vibratory motion. If we imagine the

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vessel to burst while this high temperature still exists, then the sudden facility thus given for the performance of work would bring the ether into fresh action; for vibratory motion being then rapidly converted into translatory motion in the free expansion of the gas, the ether would therefore soon urge the components of the compound molecules into their final positions of proximity. If we suppose the vessel to bold until the enclosed gas assumes the normal temperature, then the slow communication of vibratory motion to the molecules forming the sides of the vessel would keep the ether in action during the whole time of the cooling down, the components of the compound molecules being slowly and forcibly urged into closer proximity as their vibratory motion is given oft; fresh increments of vibratory motion and fresh increments of translatory motion being thus continually developed as the cooling down proceeds. The result would, therefore, be that the temperature of the enclosed gas would fall more slowly than if the above action did not take place.

157. Conversely, when gunpowder is exploded in a perfectly unconfined state, the work of the ether is done much quicker or in less time, for here means are given for the performance of work in the expansion of the gas, and vibratory motion being thereby rapidly converted into translatory motion; the ether accordingly rapidly follows up the demand for energy by urging the components of the compound molecules into closer proximity, these components soon approaching into their final positions of equilibrium due to normal vibrating energy, where the work of the ether ceases.