On the Connexion of the Physical SciencesJohn Murray, Albemarle Street., 1834 - 458 pages |
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absorb action appears atmosphere attraction bodies caloric calorific rays cause centre chemical chemical decomposition colours comet compression computed consequently currents decrease degree density diameter diminishes direction distance disturbing double stars earth ecliptic effects elastic electric currents electricity ellipse equal equator extremely fluid force galvanometer glass globe gravitation greater height Herschel increase intensity Jupiter latent heat latitude length less liquid longitude lunar magnetic mass mean motion meridian miles moon nearly needle node nutation observed occasions ocean orbit oscillations parallax particles passing perigee perihelion period phenomena planets plate polarized poles position prism probably produce quantity radiation rays of light reflected refraction revolution revolve right angles rotation satellites Saturn sensible Sir Edward Parry solar solid sound space spectrum spheroid square stars substances sun's surface temperature terrestrial tides tion tourmaline transmitted tricity undulations Uranus variations 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 18 - Kepler's law, of the squares of the periodic times being proportional to the cubes of the mean distances of the planets from the sun, that one cannot vary without affecting the other.
Page 137 - Willis on the mechanism of the larnyx, it may be presumed that ultimately the utterance or pronunciation of modern languages will be conveyed, not only to the eye, but also to the ear, of posterity. Had the ancients possessed the means of transmitting such definite sounds, the civilized world would still have responded in sympathetic notes at the distance of hundreds of ages.
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 302 - These formulae, emblematic of Omniscience, condense into a few symbols the immutable laws of the universe. This mighty instrument of human power itself originates in the primitive constitution of the human mind, and rests upon a few fundamental axioms, which have eternally existed in Him who implanted them in the breast of man when He created him after His own image.
Page 276 - 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 106 - D'Alembert, was the Precession of the equinoxes and the Nutation of the earth's axis, according to the theory of gravitation.
Page 252 - The steel magnet is stationary ; but when the armature, together with its appendages, is made to rotate horizontally, the edge of the disc always remains immersed in the mercury, while the points of the copper slip alternately dip in it and rise above it. By the ordinary laws of induction, the armature becomes a temporary magnet while its bent ends are opposite the poles of the steel magnet, and ceases to be magnetic when they are at right angles to them. It imparts its temporary magnetism to the...
Page 275 - Nothing is known of the absolute magnitude of the fixed stars, but the quantity of light emitted by many of them shows that they must be much larger than the sun.
Page 246 - ... 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...