Outlines of the Science of Energetics

Outlines of the Science of Energetics

William John Macquorn Rankine, Scottish engineer and physicist (1820-1872)


This ebook presents «Outlines of the Science of Energetics», from William John Macquorn Rankine. A dynamic table of contents enables to jump directly to the chapter selected.


Table of Contents

- About This Book

- What Constitutes A Physical Theory

- The Abstractive Method Of Forming A Physical Theory, Distinguished From The Hypothetical Method

- The Science Or Mechanics Considered As An Illustration Of The Abstractive Method

- Mechanical Hypotheses In Various Branches Or Physics

- Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hypothetical Theories

- Advantages Of An Extension Of The Abstractive Method Of Framing Theories

- Nature Of The Science Of Energetics

- Definitions Of Certain Terms

- Substance

- Property

- Mass

- Accident

- Effort, Or Active Accident

- Passive Accident

- Radical Accident

- Effort As A Measure Of Mass

- Work

- Energy, Actual And Potential

- First Axiom. All Kinds Of Work And Energy Are Homogeneous

- Second Axiom. The Total Energy Of A Substance Cannot Be Altered By The Mutual Actions Of Its Parts

- External Potential Equilirrium

- Internal Potential Equilirrium

- Third Axiom

- Rate Of Transformation ; Metamorphic Function

- Equilirrium Of Actual Energy ; Metabatic Function

- Use Of The Metabatic Function; Transformation Of Energy In An Aggregate

- Efficiency Of Engines

- Diffusion Of Actual Energy ; Irreversible Or Frictional Operations

- Measurement Of Time

- Concluding Remarks

- Footnote