EXTENT OF PLANETARY FORCE. 15 



and equalize the transmission of the impulses 

 originally imparted to them, with amply sufficient 

 power, if properly transferred, to produce all the 

 relative movements and states of rest of terrestrial 

 matter. 



ESTIMATE OF PLANETARY FORCE. 



The extent of motive -power embodied in a 

 mass of matter in motion is calculated by multi- 

 plying the velocity in feet per minute by the 

 weight in pounds. The resultant force is de- 

 noted momentum, and is expressed in "foot- 

 pounds." 



The weight of the mass of the earth is esti- 

 mated at 6,069,005,178,000,000,000,000 tons, in- 

 cluding the weight of the atmosphere. 1 



The orbital velocity of the globe of the earth be- 

 ing 19 miles per second, or 6,019,200 feet per min- 

 ute, the orbital momentum of the earth is therefore 

 about 2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (two 

 octillions) horse-power, according to the Ameri- 

 can and French system of numeration. 2 



In addition, there is also to be estimated the mo- 

 mentum of the rotating force of the globe of the 

 earth on its axis, 24,000 miles in circumference, with 



1 Guillemin's Astronomy, p. 103. 



2 It appears that the English system of numeration estimates 1,000,- 

 000,000,000 (one million millions) as one billion, and each higher denomi- 

 nation a million times the one preceding. 



The French and American system estimates 1,000,000,000 (one thous- 

 and millions) as one &7/z'0#, and each higher denomination 'a thousand 

 times the one preceding. 



