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5. On the Mechanical Energies of the Solar System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2015

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Extract

In this paper it is shown, that by the sun's heat there is an emission of mechanical energy from the solar system, amounting in about 100 years to as much as the whole energy of the motions of all the planets. The principal object of the paper is to investigate the source from which this vast development of energy is drawn. It is argued, that either a store of primitive heat must be drawn upon, or heat must be generated by chemical action (combustion), or heat must be generated by other forces than those of chemical action, that is, by forces of moving masses. Any store of primitive heat that can be drawn upon in solar radiation, must be entirely within the sun.

Type
Proceedings 1853-54
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1857

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References

page 243 note * The friction of the vortices of meteoric vapour close round the sun, upon the atmosphere between them, and his surface revolving at the comparatively slow rate of once in twenty-five days, probably gives rise to eddies sometimes reaching down to the sun's surface, and constituting hurricanes, which would probably have a progressive motion northwards on one side, and southwards on the other side of his equator.

page 244 note * Quart. Jour. Chem. Soc., vol. vi.