HELMHOLTZ IN BERLIN 



then it is a consequence of the laws of motion of 

 gross matter that if all the forms of energy depend 

 upon motion or position of particles, the conservation 

 of energy must hold, and also that the so-called 

 perpetual motion would be impossible under any 

 circumstances.' 



As an alternative, Helmholtz reasoned in the 

 following manner : Assume the impossibility of the 

 so-called perpetual motion, and consider also Newton's 

 second interpretation or explanation of the Third 

 Law of Motion, then these two thoughts would 

 by themselves lead to the proof of the principle of 

 the conservation of energy. But the perpetual 

 motion has been demonstrated by experiment to be 

 impossible. This being an experimental fact, and 

 Newton's statement being also universally true, the 

 principle of the conservation of energy is established. 

 Thus Helmholtz, by a purely theoretical considera- 

 tion of the matter, made the great discovery for 

 himself. It is no detraction to the work of Helm- 

 holtz on this subject that it was theoretical. One 

 of the main objects of theoretical research is to find 

 the point of view in which the subject appears in 

 its greatest simplicity. It is also its purpose to give 

 the form in which the results of experiments may 

 be expressed. Theory leads to the conception of 

 functions the forms of which must be settled by 

 experiment. 



As already mentioned, the application of the prin- 

 53 



