Concept
Heat
Overview
energy that is transferred from one body to another as the result of a difference in temperature
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Heat is discussed.
It seems probable that while the diffusion is great and the force of mutual gravitation small, the chief source of heat is combination of units of matter, simpler than any known to us, into such units of matter as those we know; while, conversely, when there has been reached close aggregation, the chief source of heat is gravitation, with consequent pressure and gradual contraction. Supposing this to be so, let us…
Herbert Spencer, Essays
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Latent heat is therefore by no means an obstacle in the way of the mechanical theory of heat. On the contrary this theory for the first time provides a rational explanation of the subject and an obstacle arises from the fact in particular that the physicists make use of the old and ineffective expression "latent heat" to signify the heat transformed into some other shape by molecular energy.
Friedrich Engels, Landmarks of Scientific Socialism
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
It is even variable in itself, since the same body (in different states of sensation) excites the feeling of heat and of cold; this is shown by Inst. 41, Tab. 3. Nor should we confound the communication of heat or its transitive nature, by which a body grows warm at the approach of a heated body, with the form of heat; for heat is one thing and heating another. Heat can be excited by friction without any previous…
Francis Bacon, Novum organum
names the idea; states what it is; author linked in the graph; opens on it
The transformation of Heat into electricity, occurs when dissimilar metals touching each other are heated at the point of contact: electric currents being so induced. Solid, incombustible matter introduced into heated gas, as lime into the oxyhydrogen flame, becomes incandescent; and so exhibits the conversion of Heat into light.
Herbert Spencer, First Principles
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Hence zinc and bismuth alter their specific gravities in fusion; some urine, and many solutions of solids, grow turbid as they cool; others alter their colours. Secondly, If (the power of expansion by heat being equal) the power of retaining heat be in a greater ratio than the specific gravities; then, during the time of cooling after being sufficiently heated, there will be an instant, when the heavier body will…
Various, Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part I. For the year 1757.
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Philosophers who discussed Heat
Related ideas
- Evaporation
- Francis Bacon
- Greek language
- Second law of thermodynamics
- Humphry Davy
- John Locke
- Josiah Wedgwood
- Jaakko Hintikka
- Latin
- Measurement
- Longman
- Primitive notion
- Ilya Prigogine
- Solar System
- Statistical mechanics
- James Clerk Maxwell
- Galileo Galilei
- Thermodynamics
- Circular reasoning
- Pierre-Simon Laplace
- Cambridge
- Benjamin Franklin
- Elsevier
- Robert Boyle
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Universe.