Elements of physics, or, Natural philosophy : general and medical, written for universal use, in plain or non-technical language, and containing new disquisitions and practical suggestions / by Neil Arnott.

  • Arnott, Neil, 1788-1874.
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of physics, or, Natural philosophy : general and medical, written for universal use, in plain or non-technical language, and containing new disquisitions and practical suggestions / by Neil Arnott. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    living beings. And even in the cases where a chemical or vital influence operates, it modifies, but does not destroy, the physical influence. By fixing the attention then on these four fundamenlal truths, the student obtains, as it were, so many keys to unlock, and lights to illumine the secrets and treasures of nature. 1st. Atom. Every material mass in nature is divisible into very minute indestructible and un- changeable particles,—as when a piece of any metal is bruised, broken, cut, dissolved, or other- wise transformed, a thousand times, but can al- ways be exhibited again as perfect as at first. This truth is conveniently recalled by giving to the par- ticles the name atom, which is a Greek term, sig- nifying that which cannot be farther cut or divided, or an exceeding minute resisting particle. 2d, Attraction. It is found that the atoms above referred to, whether separate or already joined into masses, tend towards all other atoms or masses,—as when the atoms of which any mass is composed are, by an invisible influence, held together with a certain degree of force ; or when a block of stone is similarly held down to the earth on which it lies; or when the tides on the earth rise towards the moon. These facts are conveniently recalled by connecting with them the word Attraction (a drawing together), or gravita- tion. 3d. Repulsion. Atoms under certain circum- stances, as of heat diffused among them, have their mutual attraction countervailed or resisted, and they tend to separate;—as when ice heated