"If the water flow down by a gradual natural channel, its potential energy is gradually converted into heat by fluid friction, according to an admirable discovery made by Mr Joule of Manchester above twelve years ago, which has led to the greatest reform that physical science has experienced since the days of Newton. From that discovery, it may be concluded with certainty that heat is not matter, but some kind of motion among the particles of matter; a conclusion established, it is true, by Sir Humphrey Davy and Count Rumford at the end of last century, but ignored by even the highest scientific men during a period of more than forty years."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Natural philosophersBritish peersEngineersAcademics from Northern IrelandMathematicians from Northern Ireland
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Mathematical and Physical Papers, Vol.2 (1884) "On Mechanical Antecedents of Motion, Heat and Light" (originally published 1854, 1855)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Thomson
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Related Quotes
"I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something abou…"
"There cannot be a greater mistake than that of looking superciliously upon the practical applications of science. The…"
"Quaternions came from Hamilton after his really good work had been done, and though beautifully ingenious, have been …"
"I am afraid I am not in the flight for “aerial navigation”. I was greatly interested in your work with kites; but I h…"
"Symmetrical equations are good in their place, but 'vector' is a useless survival, or offshoot from quaternions, and …"
"Mathematics is the only true metaphysics."
"Do not imagine that mathematics is hard and crabbed, and repulsive to common sense. It is merely the etherealization …"
"I need scarcely say that the beginning and maintenance of life on earth is absolutely and infinitely beyond the range…"
"It is conceivable that animal life might have the attribute of using the heat of surrounding matter, at its natural t…"
"Tesla has contributed more to electrical science than any man up to his time."