Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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4 Vàyo
The element of motion or kinetic energy with the characteristics
of pushing and supporting. When we blow
air into a balloon, the air pushes the walls of the balloon
outwards, and if there is no balancing force exerted by
the walls of the balloon, the balloon will bust. Remember
that there is action and reaction at every point.
Motion, vibration, oscillation, rotation and pressure
are caused by vàyo.
Notes:
The four great essentials are also known as the four
great elements.
Dhàtu in Pàëi means that which carries its own characteristics
marks or attributes. Element is the closest equivalent for dhàtu.
Now pathavã-dhàtu literally means the earth-element, àpodhàtu
the water-element, tejo-dhàtu the heat element, and vàyodhàtu
the wind-element. But pathavã is not the earth, neither is
àpo water nor vàyo the wind.
The four great essentials are the fundamental material
elements which exist together and which are inseparable. Every
material substance, whether earth, water, fire or wind, ranging
from the minutest particles to the most massive object, is made
up of these four elements which possess specific characteristics
as described above.
From this, one can easily see that Buddhists are not dealing
with Thales’ water, Anaximenes’ air, Herakleitus’ fire, or the
Peripatetics’ matter, of Greek philosophy.