The Machinery of the Universe: Mechanical Conceptions of Physical Phenomena

Name: The Machinery of the Universe: Mechanical Conceptions of Physical Phenomena
Author: A. E. Dolbear

By A. E. Dolbear

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Science - Physics

About This Book

The author argues that physical phenomena are best explained by transformable modes of motion rather than metaphysical forces, outlining kinetic and potential energy and the mechanical behavior of systems across scales from molecular to astronomical. He compares matter and the ether, contrasting discontinuity of atoms with a continuous, frictionless ether, and considers how atomic structures like vortex models can account for cohesion, chemical properties, and energy storage. Subsequent chapters trace chains of motion producing heat and light, treat electricity as a condition arising from ether and atomic stresses, and analyze electromagnetic waves, induction, and the mechanical constitution of electrical phenomena, aiming to unify diverse effects under mechanical conceptions.

About the Author

A. E. Dolbear

A. E. Dolbear was an American physicist and inventor known for his contributions to the understanding of electrical phenomena and communication technology in the late 19th century. His notable works include "The Machinery of the Universe: Mechanical Conceptions of Physical Phenomena," which explores the mechanical principles underlying physical phenomena, and "The Telephone: An Account of the Phenomena of Electricity, Magnetism, and Sound, as Involved in Its Action," where he delves into the scientific principles that govern telecommunication. Dolbear's writings reflect a keen interest in the intersection of science and technology, making significant contributions to the fields of physics and engineering.