MATTER, MOTION, AND FORCE 



Our two fundamental theorems are thus seen 

 to derive their validity from a yet deeper the- 

 orem, — the proposition that the force mani- 

 fested in the knowable universe is constant, can 

 neither be increased nor diminished. 



To this result, which we have here obtained 

 through a general consideration of the problems 

 treated by the abstract - concrete sciences, we 

 shall be equally led by any special question of 

 molar physics, molecular physics, or chemistry 

 which we may choose to analyze. When we say 

 that the curve described by a cascade in leaping 

 from a projecting ledge of rock is a parabola of 

 which the coordinates express respectively the 

 momentum of the water and the intensity of 

 gravity at the verge of the ledge ; or when we 

 say that the line followed by any solid body, 

 drawn by two differently situated forces, is the 

 diagonal of a parallelogram of which the sides 

 express the respective intensities of the forces ; 

 the validity of our assertion depends entirely 

 upon the postulate that the forces in question 

 are constant in amount. Annihilate a single 

 unit of force, and our proposition is hopelessly 

 falsified. Similarly in molecular physics, when 

 we enunciate the formula by means of which 

 Joseph Fourier founded the mathematical theory 

 of heat — namely, the formula that, in all cases 

 of radiation and conduction, the thermological 

 action between two bodies is proportional to 

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