THE 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
JULY, 1881. 
THE SOURCE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY. 
By Charles Morris. 
S HE molecules of matter are affected in two distinct 
modes by centrifugal motion. In the one case this 
motion is, to a considerable extent, persistent in the 
affeCted molecule. Its excess vigour is but slowly yielded to 
other molecules, through the influence of impaCt or of 
attractive connection. This mode of motion is called heat. 
In the other case the molecules vigorously transmit their 
excess motion, yielding it with excessive rapidity to other 
molecules. To this phase of motion we give two names. 
In one form of its manifestation we designate it as radiant 
energy. In another form we give it the name of electricity. 
Whether or not, however, we should speak of these as one 
mode of motion, or as two distinct modes, is a question 
which yet remains unanswered, and is, to a partial extent, 
the question which it is proposed to consider in this paper. 
Between heat and radiant energy there are intimate rela- 
tions. They interchange with the utmost readiness under 
proper conditions. The same may be said in respeCt to heat 
and electricity. They, also, have close affinities, and inter- 
change with facility. Any enquiry, then, into the relations 
between these three modes of motion involves an answer to 
the following question — Why, under one set of conditions, 
does the molecule of matter vigorously retain its motion ; 
and why, under another set, or two other sets, of conditions, 
does it vigorously transfer its motion ? And what are the 
characteristics of these two or three distinct sets of 
conditions ? 
VOL. III. (THIRD SERIES) 2 C 
