1 The Kinetic Theory of Gases
2 Gravitation
1 Gases the Mechanist problem of elasticity
Statement of the theory: The object of this hypothesis is to explain the characteristic properties of the gaseous state, especially of the pressure that every gas exercises upon the sides of the vessel which contains it.
It rests upon the following postulates:-
Criticism
First, None of the three propositions upon which the theory rests can be proved by experience.
Second, the theory regards the perfect elasticity of the particles as an indispensable condition for securing the perpetuity of the movement and the pressure; without this perfect elasticity the particles would sustain at each new contact a loss of motion and the gaseous body would eventually be in a state of rest.
But this supposition introduces a real contradiction into the mechanical system, for the same atom which in physics is declared to be absolutely elastic, in chemistry is considered devoid of all elasticity.
Is it possible that the same individual atom can simultaneously possess two attributes mutually exclusive, or can change its nature suddenly according as the cause demands?
Furthermore, by admitting the elasticity of the particles, the mechanist is obliged to re-introduce into the world of matter that element "force" which he has banished from it.
For suppose that two elastic atoms of the same mass are moving with equal velocity in opposite directions, and eventually meet along their line of motion and the line joining their centres of gravity.
Having come into contact they press upon each other until at length their respective motions cease.
As these atoms must rebound, it is necessary that the movement which starts again after their contact be preceded by a moment, however brief, of complete rest.
But if complete immobility precedes the reverse movements of these bodies, it is impossible that these movements arise from another movement.
And therefore, unless we are to admit an effect without
a cause, it is necessary to have recourse to a dynamic power essentially
distinctly from motion and intrinsic to the atoms, in a word to the force
of elasticity.
2 Gravitation
Mechanical Conception of Gravitation. (This is represented here as the mechanistic system only and is not intended as a critique of mathematical models such as Einstein erected to explain hypothetical problems of so called "space and time").
Science endeavours to reduce all the forces of nature to modes of universal attraction - the law thus stated by Newton:
The most celebrated theory invented for this purpose is the collision theory of Le Sage of Geneva (1818) which states:
Space is constantly traversed by flowing multitudes of minute bodies from unknown parts of the universe and travelling at super speeds. Because they are so minute most of them easily penetrate pass through ordinary sensible bodies in such a way that all parts of these bodies are equally struck by the corpuscles.
If there were in space but one elementary body or one atom, this would be struck equally from all side.
But any two bodies naturally act as screens, with the result that each receives fewer shocks on the side which faces the other body, and they are thus attracted towards each other.
Note that this theory eliminates the element of force
to the advantage of motion pure and simple.
Criticism
Clerk-Maxwell observed that we must chose between one of two hypotheses; Either the particles are elastic, and in this case the action of gravity is reduced to nothing. For owing to their elasticity, the particles rebound from the body with the same velocity as they had in approaching it and preserve their energy unimpaired. But in whatever direction they rebound from the body, they will be in the same number and have the same speed as the particles which are tending towards the body.
Or on the other hand, if the onrushing atoms are inelastic,
the energy of the collisions will be converted into heat, and under the
influence of liberated heat the bodies will in a short time become white
hot.