ON CHEMICAL ENERGY. 235 



equalize itself, the question arises why it has not done so long- ago 

 during- the many thousand years which our system of worlds has 

 existed. We continually see differences of potential existing in 

 nature — compressed air, galvanic elements; all these contain stores of 

 energy which are ever ready to act and must therefore be unequal. 

 Likewise the fossil fuels and the suli)hides of the metals are able in 

 conjunction with the oxygen of the air to bring- forth large amounts of 

 energy during their inter action, and can not, therefore, be in eciuilib- 

 rium. Aside from the tendency for e(]ualization, which is peculiar 

 to energy, other forces are therefore active in nature which hinder or 

 detain this, and an accurate understanding- of these natural phenomena 

 can only be attained when these opposing and detaining- causes are 

 known. 



For mechanical and electrical energy such hindrances can be easily 

 created. A spring may be kept wound by a weight; two electrically 

 charged bodies, which tend to approach each other, can be kei>t from 

 attaining their equilibrium by the dielectric resistance of an interposed 

 medium. All these liiudrances however have but this explanation, 

 that the differences of energy present are comiicnsated by the use of 

 other energies, so that their eipialization is prevented ; at the same time, 

 we can prove that, according- to the method employed, large (piantities 

 of one form of energy of any magnitude can be compensated by equally 

 small quantities of another form of energy, for by means of a small 

 switch, enormous currents of electricity can be interrupted and closed 

 at will. 



In the case of chemical energy we are however very often unable to 

 prove such compensations by the application of other energies. When 

 a piece of Avood is exposed to the air, it would be in accordance with the 

 general tendency to equalize the energy present, if combustion took 

 place and the wood combined with the oxygen of the air. The same 

 would apply to organized bodies. Our body consists of combustible 

 substances; and, in accordance with tlie chemical affinities present, it 

 should combine with the oxygen of the air and burn without cessation. 

 Why IS it not consumed? 



If we should attempt to answer this question we should soon become 

 entangled in inexplicable contradictions. We can not ask: "Why is 

 our body not consumed?" since it does actually burn. It continually 

 takes up oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. The same answer 

 applies to other chemical phenomena, A stick of sulphur exposed to 

 the air seems unchanged, but it is only apparently so. In reality it is 

 oxidized; slowly however, and so slowly in fact, tha^ we would not 

 notice it in weeks or months. If the process were however continued 

 for years or decades of years the oxidation could be measured. The 

 rapidity of reaction is clearly proportioned to the surface. If we take 

 finely powdered sulphur, Hower or milk of sulphur, whose total surface 

 is much greater, we can prove the formation of sulphuric acid in hours 

 and days. 



