The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

INORGANIC ELEMENTS. 97head before the sluice was opened. This illustrationindicates the mode of calculation tobe applied to energy in all its forms, includingthe great forces of nature, before which hu-man power is as nothing.Taking thus thecorrelatives position and motion, we may regardthe former as preparation for the latter,for, as Professor Balfour Stewart has said," It is the fate of all kinds of energy of positionto be ultimately converted into energyof motion." * On this account, energy of niotionmost naturally exemplifies what we understandby energy; but on the other handwhat has been called the energy of positionmust be regarded as a power distinctly calculable.If a stone be thrown into the air, theenergy expended in propelling it to a certainheight, is the exact measure of the energy expendedin its descent. There is no need forentering here upon the calculations of the relationbetween energy and velocity, showingthe exact proportion of the one to the other,or the ratio of increase according to velocity,which is expressed in the formula "that theenergy varies as the square of the velocity,"giving us an exact measure of force.The Conservalion of Energy, by Balfour Stewad, p. 96.