Section VI.—A Review of the Fundamental Principles of the Mechanical Theory of Heat; with Remarks on the Thermic Phenomena of Currents of Elastic Fluids, as illustrating those Principles.

(Article 46.) I have been induced to write this Section, in continuation of a paper on the Mechanical Action of Heat, by the publication (in the Philosophical Magazine for December 1852, Supplementary Number) of a series of experiments by Mr Joule and Professor William Thomson, on the Thermal Effects experienced by Air in rushing through small Apertures. Although those authors express an intention to continue the experiments on a large scale, so as to obtain more precise results; yet the results already obtained are sufficient to constitute the first step towards the experimental determination of that most important function in the theory of the mechanical action of heat, which has received the name of Carnot's Function.