Page:Philosophical magazine 21 series 4.djvu/310

286 Prof. Maxwell on the Theory of Molecular Vortices resistance, so as to waste electrical energy and generate heat.

Now let us suppose the vortices arranged in a medium in any arbitrary manner. The quantities $$\tfrac{d\gamma}{dy}-\tfrac{d\beta}{dz},$$, &c. will then in general have values, so that there will at first be electrical currents in the medium. These will be opposed by the electrical resistance of the medium; so that, unless they are kept up by a continuous supply of force, they will quickly disappear, and we shall then have $$\tfrac{d\gamma}{dy}-\tfrac{d\beta}{dz}=0$$, &c.; that is, $$\alpha dx+\beta dy+\gamma dz$$ will be a complete differential (see equations (15) and (16)); so that our hypothesis accounts for the distribution of the lines of force.

In Plate V. fig. 1, let the vertical circle EE represent an electric current flowing from copper C to zinc Z through the conductor EE', as shown by the arrows.

Let the horizontal circle MM' represent a line of magnetic force embracing the electric circuit, the north and south directions being indicated by the lines SN and NS.

Let the vertical circles V and V' represent the molecular vortices of which the line of magnetic force is the axis. V revolves as the hands of a watch, and V the opposite way.

It will appear from this diagram, that if V and V' were contiguous vortices, particles placed between them would move downwards; and that if the particles were forced downwards by any cause, they would make the vortices revolve as in the figure. We have thus obtained a point of view from which we may regard the relation of an electric current to its lines of force as analogous to the relation of a toothed wheel or rack to wheels which it drives.

In the first part of the paper we investigated the relations of the statical forces of the system. We have now considered the connexion of the motions of the parts considered as a system of mechanism. It remains that we should investigate the dynamics of the system, and determine the forces necessary to produce given changes in the motions of the different parts.

Prop. VI.— To determine the actual energy of a portion of a medium due to the motion of the vortices within it.

Let $$\alpha,\beta,\gamma$$ be the components of the circumferential velocity, as in Prop. II., then the actual energy of the vortices in unit of volume will be proportional to the density and to the square of the velocity. As we do not know the distribution of density and velocity in each vortex, we cannot determine the numerical value of the energy directly; but since $$\mu$$ also bears a constant though unknown ratio to the mean density, let us assume that the energy