On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences |
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Page 44
In lunar eclipses , our atmosphere refracts the sun's rays which pass through it , and bends them all round into the cone of the earth's shadow ; and as the horizontal refraction surpasses half the sum of the solar and lunar parallaxes ...
In lunar eclipses , our atmosphere refracts the sun's rays which pass through it , and bends them all round into the cone of the earth's shadow ; and as the horizontal refraction surpasses half the sum of the solar and lunar parallaxes ...
Page 152
... are not only refracted but suffer total reflection at very oblique incidences . The laws of interference extend also to sound . It is clear that two equal and similar musical strings will be in unison if they communicate the same ...
... are not only refracted but suffer total reflection at very oblique incidences . The laws of interference extend also to sound . It is clear that two equal and similar musical strings will be in unison if they communicate the same ...
Page 163
The action of the atmosphere on light is not less interesting than the theory of sound , for in consequence of the refractive power of the air , no distant object is seen in its trụe position . All the celestial bodies appear to be more ...
The action of the atmosphere on light is not less interesting than the theory of sound , for in consequence of the refractive power of the air , no distant object is seen in its trụe position . All the celestial bodies appear to be more ...
Page 164
A ray of light from a celestial object falling obliquely on this variable atmosphere , instead of being refracted at once from its course , is gradually more and more bent during its passage through it , so as to move in a vertical ...
A ray of light from a celestial object falling obliquely on this variable atmosphere , instead of being refracted at once from its course , is gradually more and more bent during its passage through it , so as to move in a vertical ...
Page 165
is greatest at the horizon , and at the zenith there is none ; but it is proved that at all heights above ten degrees , refraction varies nearly as the tangent of the angular distance of the object from the zenith , and wholly depends ...
is greatest at the horizon , and at the zenith there is none ; but it is proved that at all heights above ten degrees , refraction varies nearly as the tangent of the angular distance of the object from the zenith , and wholly depends ...
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Common terms and phrases
action appears atmosphere attraction caloric cause celestial bodies centre centrifugal force chemical decomposition colours comet compression consequently degree density diameter diminishes direction distance disturbing earth ecliptic effect electric currents equal equator equinox ether excentricity extremely fluid force galvanometer glass globe gravitation heat increase induction inequalities intensity Jupiter latent heat latitude length liquid longitude lunar magnetic major axis mass mean motion meridian miles moon nearly nebulæ needle nodes nutation observed occasions ocean opposite optic optic axis orbit oscillations parallax particles passing perigee perihelion period perpendicular phenomena plane plate poles position produce proved quantity ray of light reflected refraction revolution revolve right angles rings rotation satellites Saturn secular sensible Sir Edward Parry solar sound space spheroid substances sun and moon sun's surface temperature terrestrial theory tides tion tourmaline transmitted tricity undulations variation velocity vibrations voltaic waves whence wire
Popular passages
Page 29 - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page 20 - In song and dance about the sacred Hill — Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere Of planets and of fixed in all her wheels Resembles nearest; mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most when most irregular they seem; And in their motions harmony divine So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear Listens delighted.
Page 21 - that must render the name for ever memorable in science, and revered by those who delight in the contemplation of whatever is excellent and sublime." After Newton's discovery of the mechanical laws of the elliptical orbits of the planets, La Grange's discovery of their periodical inequalities is, without doubt, the noblest truth in physical astronomy ; and, in respect of the doctrine of final causes, it may be regarded as the greatest of all.
Page 386 - Jupiter ; it then gradually diminished in splendor, and having exhibited all the variety of tints that indicate the changes of combustion, vanished sixteen months after its discovery, without altering its position. It is impossible to imagine anything more tremendous than a conflagration that could be visible at such a distance.
Page 110 - D'Alembert, was the Precession of the equinoxes and the Nutation of the earth's axis, according to the theory of gravitation.
Page 310 - ... that is, in the plane which passes through the north and south magnetic poles. There are places where the magnetic meridian coincides with the terrestrial meridian ; in these a magnetic needle freely suspended, points to the true north, but if it be carried successively to different places on the earth's surface, its direction will deviate sometimes to the east and sometimes to the west of north. Lines drawn on the globe through all the places where the needle points due north and south, are...
Page 357 - Hence arises still further confirmation, if any were required, of the identity of common and voltaic electricity, and that the differences of intensity and quantity are quite sufficient to account for what were supposed to be their distinctive qualities.
Page 175 - ... follows, that the orange and green rays of the spectrum, though they cannot be decomposed by prismatic refraction, can be decomposed by absorption, and actually consist of two different colours possessing the same degree of refrangibility.
Page 51 - ... solid parts, by their cohesion, nearly destroy that part of the centrifugal force which gives the particles a tendency to accumulate at the equator, though not altogether ; otherwise the sea, by the superior mobility of its particles, would flow towards the equator and leave the poles dry. Besides, it is well known, that the continents at the equator are more elevated than they are in higher latitudes. It is also necessary for the equilibrium of the ocean, that its density should be less than...
Bibliographic information
| Title | On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences |
| Author | Mary Somerville |
| Publisher | J. Murray, 1834 |
| Original from | the New York Public Library |
| Digitized | 26 Jun 2006 |
| Length | 458 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |