366 On Electric Energy -Distribution. 



The irregular distribution can be replaced in imagination by 

 six equal sets of filaments parallel to the positive and negative 

 directions of these three axes. 



In space at a great distance from gravitational matter each 

 of these sets of filaments will contain the same amount of 

 energy. Let 6a be the amount of energy in one cubic centi- 

 metre of free aether. Let the positive direction of the X- 

 axis at a point correspond with the positive direction of the 

 gravitational line of force at that point. Let b be the volume 

 of the gravitational energy-cell. Then five sets of filaments 

 in the cell may contain hob units of energy, and the sixth, 

 which has the direction of the X-axis, ab — 1 units. Alto- 

 gether the cell will contain 6ab — 1 units, while the same 

 volume at a distance from gravitational matter will contain 

 Gab units of energy. 



This would require the existence of 96 or say 100 horse- 

 power hours in every cubic centimetre. 



11. It is an interesting question whether this theory of 

 energy-distribution in gravitational aether is or is not the 

 simplest and most probable. That other distributions are 

 conceivable appears " evident. For example, the aether along 

 the straight line joining the centres of two bodies might be 

 regarded as a stretched elastic cord, the laws of contraction 

 being of course quite different from those which hold for 

 ordinary elastic bodies. 



Another explanation which seems possible in the case of 

 two gravitational particles is as follows. In the energy dia- 

 gram for two equal electrified particles with opposite sign, 

 suppose each infinitesimal tube of polarization to be divided 

 into two equal tubes with opposite directions. If they are 

 regarded as vortex filaments, each vortex will work in with 

 its neighbours rotating the other way, like one friction- 

 pulley on another. 



Then it is clear that there is no way in which we can 

 regard the two particles as opposed in sign, and yet if each 

 of the two sets of vortex filaments acts as electrostatic tubes 

 always act, the particles will be attracted together. 



The energy-flow in this case will be as indicated in fig. 1, 

 and the distribution of energy- density as in fig. 3. It has 

 not been found possible to map the energy field in this manner 

 for three or more particles. Indeed, the difficulties are such 

 that it seems improbable that this method can be applied. 



12. In conclusion it may be well to notice again the as- 

 sumption on which this paper is based : that the energy-cells 

 preserve their identity, and carry the same energy with them 

 throughout their path. It is not clear that this is necessarily 



