818 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



that of a heavier one possessing the same momentum, we shall 

 obtain as a product a number which expresses the ratio of increased 

 •weiijht in the heavier bodv.* 



Several other important coincidences between well established 

 experimental facts and the conclusions to be drawn from the 

 hjq^othesis that temperature is identical with momentum, might 

 be adduced, and will readily occur to those familiar with the sub- 

 ject, but their farther consideration will be left for a future paper. 

 In tracing the transformation from the state of vapor or gas to 

 the liquid condition, we have to suppose that the momentum of 

 atoms falls below the potential of gravity, so that instead of moving 

 in continuous directions, the six or more atoms forming a molecule, 

 will vibrate across, or more probal^ly, revolve about centres, in 

 elliptical orbits. These orbits will be interlinked at their vertices 

 around their foci. The atoms composing a single molecule, 

 instead of being continually and mutually interchanged with those 

 of other molecules, as in the case of gas, will remain permanently 

 associated. 



At the instant when this occurs some remarkable changes take 

 l^lace. The atoms drop down upon each other from the distances 

 due to their previous direct motions, and the virtual repulsion of 

 their surplus momentum, to that which will give equilibrium in 

 the new closed orbits, a distance which we find, practically, to be 

 very considerable. 



A reenforcement of gravity is produced by this approach of the 

 atoms, assisted, perhaps, by the interlinking of the orbits, and 

 this reenforcement is accompanied by an acceleration of motion 

 and consequent increase of temperature, or development of " latent 

 heat." 



The great difficulty experienced in reducing the bulk of a liquid, 

 even when we subject it to a very powerful pressure, is an indication 

 of the immense amount of force associated with the matter con- 

 tained in a small bulk, and is, doubtless, partly due to the closed 

 form of the orbits, as well as to the augmentation of gravity and 

 consequent momentum occasioned by the proximity of the atoms. 

 As already intimated, iwessure is not to be considered as the 

 effect of contact, as commonly understood in the case of what is 

 called statical equilibrium. Under the present hypothesis a stati- 



•The relation of vis viva or work to momentum, has been made the subject of another 

 paper read by mo before this Association, on the " Measure of Force in Moving Bodies." 

 (See p. .) 



