On the Importance of Experiments

THE assumption of " action at a distance " has notoriously tended to check experimental inquiry in relation to the mechanical cause of gravitation, as it has hindered investigation in other branches of physics. At one time, for instance, on the basis of this theory of " action at a distance," electric action was supposed to propagate itself in some mysterious way across space without the intervention of matter ; so that all substances were assumed to play a perfectly neutral part in the passage of the electric action — until Faraday, rising above the prejudices of his time, put this question under the test of experiment, and by his discovery of a " specific inductive capacity," demonstrated the supposition thus formed to be false. Yet so great was the strength of preconceived opinion, that notoriously Faraday's discovery was not fully accepted until years afterwards, when its practical application to telegraph-cables forced it on the attention of electricians.

So now in the present day, in spite of the continual demolition of spiritualistic views (i. e. views of action without the intervention of matter) by advancing science, the modus operandi of gravitation remains the one outstanding subject for doubt ; and it appears to be assumed by many (much in analogy with the former question of "specific inductive capacity ") that experiments with the view to decide whether any minute specific differences might exist in the effects of gravity, dependent on structure, form, &c. of substances, would be out of place — gravity being rather considered as something not physical at all (although admitted, as it were, by courtesy into " physical " science).

No doubt it may be agreed at the outset here that such specific differences in gravific effects (if they exist) must be very small, or they would have been accidentally detected. But the history of science shows that phenomena are often not detected by accident, but have to be carefully searched for. Where would the discovery of diamagnetism (for example) have been without a careful investigation ? Here it was generally assumed beforehand that, with the exception of certain isolated magnetic substances (iron &c.), no specific differences would exist in the behaviour of bodies in general to magnetism ( which was, in the same way, supposed to be an occult kind of " action at a distance "), until Faraday, again resorting to rigorous experiment, broke down once more this belief, and that only after the most careful and laborious investigations. [392]

May not analogous considerations apply to gravity (still regarded by some as the result of a mystic " action at a distance"), and which, as an actual fact, now remains as the last remnant of spiritualism to be expelled from physics. In relation to this subject, Sir William Thomson, in an important development of Le Sage's theory of gravitation, published in the Philosophical Magazine for May 1873, makes the following suggestive remark, viz. that, assuming certain possible conditions to exist, " crystals would generally have different permeabilities in different directions, and would therefore have different weights according to the direction of their axes relatively to the direction of gravity. No such difference has been discovered ; and it is certain that, if there is any, it is extremely small. Hence the constituent atoms, if ælotropic as to permeability, must be so but to an exceedingly small degree " (page 331).

Might not this point be worthy of experiment ? Although the discovery of some such minute specific differences would not, in point of principle, be necessary to the establishment of the truth of the existence of an explanation for gravitation, yet a discovery of this kind would be highly interesting as a confirmation of the truth of the particular explanation afforded by the kinetic theory of gases (which depends on the permeability of gross matter by a gaseous aether, whose minute component particles have an extremely long mean path). The groundwork of this explanation (i. e. the one first started in very crude form by Le Sage, of Geneva) is now, it may be observed, generally regarded by competent judges as the only conceivable rough basis on which an intelligible mechanical theory of gravitation admits of being built.

The main object of this paper is to call more particular attention to the desirability of an experimental search in relation to the mechanical theory of gravitation, or to the expediency of a more precise and exact observation of gravific effects under diverse conditions of form, structure, &c. of bodies, with a view to determine if certain small specific variations may not have escaped notice, owing to their not having been searched for, on account of the bias of preconceived ideas, and the lethargy produced by the influence of preformed theories. Crystalline bodies of birefracting properties &c. which, in relation to the luminiferous aether, are permeable to light with different velocities in different directions, may specially suggest themselves for experiment.

Since the successful pursuit of a research of this kind, where specific differences of a very minute character are in question, would no doubt entail considerable experimental resources, with refined and delicate apparatus, which might not be at the disposal of every one, the more therefore does it become desirable to attract general attention to the subject. The comparative dearth of discovery of any great physical principle (of a fundamental character at least) within the last few years would seem, if any thing, to call for additional zeal in experimental enterprise. Although a negative result to the investigations would not be decisive one way or the other in regard to the validity of the explanation of gravity afforded by the kinetic theory (for, of course, it is well conceivable that such specific variations in gravific effect, if they exist, might be too minute for detection with the appliances at our command), yet a positive result would be so highly interesting and important, that even a small prospect of success would amply repay the labour of a careful trial, and enlist usefully the skill and ingenuity of experimenters.

Heatherfield, Bournemouth, March 2, 1881.