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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 January 2013
Section VI.—A Review of the Fundamental Principles of the Mechanical Theory of Heat; with Remarks on the Thermic Phenomena of Currents of Elastic Fluids, as illustrating those Principles.
(Article 46.) I have been induced to write this Section, in continuation of a paper on the Mechanical Action of Heat, by the publication (in the Philosophical Magazine for December 1852, Supplementary Number) of a series of experiments by Mr Joule and Professor William Thomson, on the Thermal Effects experienced by Air in rushing through small Apertures. Although those authors express an intention to continue the experiments on a large scale, so as to obtain more precise results; yet the results already obtained are sufficient to constitute the first step towards the experimental determination of that most important function in the theory of the mechanical action of heat, which has received the name of Carnot's Function.
page 574 note * It is to be observed, that in Professor Thomson's notation, heat is supposed to be measured by an arbitrary unit, whose ratio to a unit of mechanical power is denoted by J; while in this paper, the same unit is employed in expressing quantities of heat and of mechanical power.
page 579 note * See Appendix, Note A.
page 581 note * This unit of volume is greater than the actual volume of air, under the circumstances described, in the ratio of 1·00085 to 1.
page 587 note * See Appendix, Note B.
