CHAPTER I.
ENERGY IN GENERAL.
Origin of the Idea of Energy.—The Phenomena of Nature bring
into play only two Elements, Matter and Energy.—§ 1.
Matter.—§ 2. Energy.—§ 3. Mechanical Energy.—§ 4.
Thermal Energy.—§ 5. Chemical Energy.—§ 6. The Transformations
of Energy.—§ 7. The Principles of Energetics.—The
Principle of the Conservation of Energy.—§ 8. Carnot's
Principle.—The Degradation of Energy.
Origin of the Idea of Energy.—A new term, namely energy, has been for some years introduced into natural science, and has ever since assumed a more and more important place. It is owing to the English physicists, and especially to the English electrical engineers, that this expression has made its way into technology, an expression which is part and parcel of both languages, and which has the same meaning in both. The idea it expresses is, in fact, of infinite value in industrial applications, and that is why its use has gradually spread and become generalized. But it is not merely a practical idea. It is above all a theoretical idea of capital importance to pure theory. It has become the point of departure of a science, energetics, which, although born but yesterday, already claims to embrace, co-ordinate, and blend within itself all the other sciences of physical and living nature, which the imperfection of our knowledge alone had hitherto kept distinct and apart.
