DYNAMIC THOUGHT/PART 6
CHAPTER VI
SUBSTANCE AND BEYOND
SCIENCE
has ascribed to Substance certain characteristic qualities which it calls
"Properties." It divides these properties into two classes, viz.:
(1) Molecular Properties (sometimes called Physical Properties); and (2) Atomic
Properties (sometimes called Chemical Properties).
Molecular
Properties are those which may be manifested by Substance without
disturbing the Molecules, and consequently without affecting the
"kind" of Substance.
Atomic
Properties are those which concern the Atoms when free from Molecular
combination, and which consequently cannot be manifested without changing the
"kind" of Substance.
Science,
before long, is likely to add a third class of Properties, namely, "Corpuscular
Properties," relating to the Corpuscles or particles of Radiant
Matter, but, so far, it has not had the opportunity to sufficiently observe
these qualities, except in a general way.
There
are certain General Properties that seem possessed by both Mass, Molecules, and
Atoms—and probably by Corpuscles.
These General
Properties are as follows:
Shape:
That property whereby Substance "takes up room." This property
manifests in three directions, called Dimensions of Space, namely, Length,
Breadth, and Thickness.
Weight:
That property whereby Substance responds to Gravity. Weight is simply the
measure of the attraction.
Impenetrability:
That property whereby two bodies of Substance are prevented from occupying the
same space at the same time. A nail driven into a piece of wood, simply pushes
aside the molecules, and occupies the Space between them. Substance is never
actually "invaded" or its actual territory occupied by other
Substance.
Indestructibility:
That property whereby Substance is prevented from being destroyed or
annihilated. Although the forms of Substance may be changed, or transformed
into other forms, still, Substance in itself is not destroyed,
and cannot be under the existing Laws of the Universe.
Mobility:
That property whereby Substance responds to imparted Motion. We shall notice
this property in our consideration of Motion. In addition to the Motion of
the Mass, and the movements of Molecules and Atoms in response to its
Attraction, there is another form of Motion constantly going on, without
reference to the Attraction or impressed Motion of the Mass. The Molecules of
all bodies are always in a state of rapid Motion, called Vibration. In solids
this vibration is short, being restrained by the close cohesive position of the
Molecules. But in Liquids, the Molecules being further separated, the vibration
is far more rapid, and they move around and slide over each other with
comparatively little resistance. In gases and vapors the Molecules have a
splendid field for Motion, and consequently vibrate in wide fields and orbits,
and dash around with the greatest velocity. The Atoms also are believed to vibrate
rapidly, in accordance with their own laws of vibration. And the Corpuscles are
believed to far excel the last two mentioned particles in intensity, rapidity
and complexity of their vibrations, as we shall see a little later on in the
book. All Substance is in constant Motion and Vibration. There is no Rest in
Substance.
Inertia:
That property whereby Substance may not move unless in response to imparted
Motion; nor terminate its Motion, when it is once imparted, except in response
to some other manifestation of impressed Force. Science holds that this
"impressed Force" or "imparted Motion" must come from
without, but the writer holds that Force may also be "expressed" from
"within," as may be seen by reference to subsequent chapters of this
book.
Attraction:
That property whereby particles or bodies of Substance (1) draw other particles
or bodies toward themselves; or (2) move toward other particles or bodies; or
(3) are mutually drawn together. This property manifests in four forms,
generally referred to as separate and distinct from each other, but which the
writer believes to be but forms of the same Attractive Power, and which he
believes to be a Mental Process, at the last analysis (a revolutionary claim,
which will be supported by argument in later chapters of the book). These three
forms of Attraction are known as (1) Gravitation; (2) Cohesion; (3) Adhesion;
and (4) Chemical Affinity, or Chemism. We are invited to consider them briefly,
at this point, further investigation being reserved for our chapters on Motion,
and Dynamic Thought.
Gravitation:
This term is usually applied to the attraction between Masses of Substance,
such as the Sun, the Earth, and Masses of Substance on or about the Earth's
surface. However, Newton, who discovered the facts of Gravitation, states
the Law, as: "Every particle of matter in the Universe, attracts every
other particle," etc.
Cohesion:
This term is used to indicate the attraction between Molecules, by which they
are combined into Masses or Bodies. Cohesion causes the Molecules to unite and
cling together, thus forming the Mass.
Adhesion:
This term is used to indicate the attraction between Masses which causes them
to "stick together" without a cohesion of their Molecules. Adhesion
operates through the adjacent surfaces of the two Masses. It may be considered
as a "lesser" form of cohesion.
Chemical
Affinity (sometimes called Chemism or Atomic Attraction): This term
is used to indicate the attraction between the atoms, by which they combine,
unite and cling together, forming the Molecule.
Science
has before it the task of naming, and classifying, the attraction between the
Corpuscles, by which they combine and form the Atom. But whatever the name, it
will be seen that it represents but another manifestation of "Attraction."
Arising
from Molecular Attraction, or Cohesion, are several "Properties"
peculiar to Masses having Molecules, and resulting from the tendency of the
latter to resist separation. We had better consider them briefly, in order
to understand the power of Molecular Attraction, and its incidents.
Porosity:
That property indicating the distances observed by the Molecules in their
relation to each other, which varies in different "kinds" of
Substance. All Substance is more or less Porous, that is, has more or less
space existing between the Molecules—the degree depends upon the
"closeness." Compressibility and Expansibility, sometimes mentioned
as "properties," are but results of Porosity.
Elasticity:
That property whereby bodies resume their original size and form, after having
been compressed, expanded or "bent." The result is caused by the
inclination of the molecules to resume their original positions. What is
sometimes called "Plasticity" is merely the reverse of Elasticity,
and denotes a limited degree of the latter.
Hardness:
That condition resulting from Molecular Attraction resisting the forcible
entrance and passage of other Substance between the molecules.
Tenacity:
That condition resulting from Molecular Attraction resisting the forcible
pulling asunder, or tearing apart of the Mass. This condition sometimes is
called "Toughness."
Malleability:
That condition resulting from Molecular Attraction resisting the forcible
separation of the Mass by pounding, hammering or pressure. The resistance is
"passive," and consists of the Molecules allowing themselves to
assume a spread-out formation, rather than to be forced apart.
Ductility:
That condition resulting from Molecular Attraction resisting the forcible
separation of the Mass by a "drawing out" process. The resistance is
"passive," and consists of the Molecules allowing themselves to be
drawn out into a formation of the shape of wire or thread, rather than to be
pulled apart.
In
any of the above cases, we may intelligently, and with propriety, substitute
the words, "Molecules, by means of cohesion, resisting, etc.,"
for the terms above used, "Molecular Attraction, resisting, etc."
All
Masses of Substance (probably Molecules as well) are capable of Expansion
and Contraction, both phenomena, in fact, and in degree, resulting from the
relation of the Molecules. Contraction is a "crowding together" of
the Molecules; Expansion a "getting apart" of them.
Density:
The amount of Substance in relation to a given bulk. Volume—the
"size" or "bulk" of a body of Substance. Mass—Besides
being used to designate a "body" of Substance, composed of two or
more Molecules, the term "Mass" is used to designate the "total
quantity of Substance in a Body." An application of the above terms may be
seen in the following illustration:
A
quart of water occupies a certain space—and has a certain "volume,"
"mass" and "density." Convert the same "mass" of
Water into Steam, and it expands to a "volume" of 1700 times that of
Water—but, as no molecules have been added, the "mass" remains the
same—but as a quart of Steam weighs 1700 times less than the same
"volume" of Water, the "density" of Steam is 1700 times
less than that of Water. As the "volume" of a given "mass"
increases, the "density" decreases in the same proportion—but the
"mass" remains the same. "Mass" therefore has two
factors, i.e., "Volume" and "Density." The
"Density" of a "Mass" is determined by the weight of
a certain "Volume" of it.
The
above consideration of the "Properties" of Substance dealt only with
the Molecular Properties, or Physical Properties, as they are sometimes
called—that is, with properties depending upon the existence of the
Molecules. When we consider the Molecules as being composed of Atoms, and
when we consider the processes whereby these Molecules are built up of, or
broken down through the separation of Atoms, we come to the subject of Atomic
Properties, or Chemical Properties, as they are often called.
The
Atomic Properties of Substance consist principally
in the power and manifestation of Motion, in the direction of combination,
separation, and the complex motions resulting from the same. This Motion is
manifested by reason of Atomic Attraction, sometimes called "Chemical
Affinity," which we shall consider a little later on in the chapter.
Atomic
Principles, as above mentioned, are best illustrated by a reference to Chemical
changes, and we shall now examine the same. And, the better way to consider
Chemical Changes is by comparing them with Physical Changes, or Changes of the
Molecules.
Some
Physical Changes in Substance are brought about
by Heat, which tends to separate the molecules, or rather to allow them to
spread out away from each other, so long as the high temperature is maintained,
the degree of their nearness being influenced by temperature. Other Physical
Changes are produced by outside Forces separating the molecules to such an
extent—to such a distance—that their cohesive force is lost, and the Solid
matter is said to be "broken," or even reduced to dust. Other physical
changes are brought about by Electricity, causing the Molecules to separate and
disintegrate.
Chemical
Changes, as distinguished from Physical Changes, do not involve or deal
with Molecules, the action being solely upon the Atoms of which the Molecules
are composed. Physical Changes separate Molecules from each
other, while Chemical Changes destroy and break up the Molecule, so that its
identity is forever lost, its Atoms thereafter either existing free from
combinations, or else recombining with other Atoms, and forming new
combinations. Chemical changes are occasioned by either physical or chemical
agencies. The physical agencies generally employed are heat, electricity,
light, pressure, percussion, etc. The principle of Chemical Changes is that the
Atoms are possessed of, and subject to, what is called "Atomic
Attraction" or "Chemical Affinity," which may be defined as an
attraction or "love" existing in varying degrees between Atoms. This
Affinity causes Atoms of one element to seek out and ally themselves to Atoms
of another element, the element of "choice" or
"preference" being strikingly in evidence.
Atoms
of different elements form marriages, and cling together in harmony, until,
perchance, by some physical or chemical agency, the Molecule is brought in
sufficiently close connection with another Molecule composed of different
elemental atoms, when, alas! one of the Atoms of our Molecule finds that it has
a greater Affinity for some other elemental Atom in the second Molecule, and
lo! it flies away, leaving its first partner, and seeking the new charmer.
Divorce and re-marriage is a common thing in the world of Atoms—in fact,
Chemistry is based upon these qualities.
Physical
and Chemical Changes gradually transform solid rock to "earth" or
"soil." Disintegration, by the action of changes in temperature,
rains and atmospheric influences, and other Physical Changes, have slowly worn
down the rocks into "dirt," gravel, clay, loam, etc. And
Decomposition by Chemical Change that set the atoms free from their combinations
has aided in the work.
There
is no rest in the world of Substance. Everything is changing—constantly
changing. Old forms give way to new, and these, grown old while being born,
are, in turn replaced by still newer. And on, endlessly. Nothing persists but
change. And yet nothing is destroyed, although countless forms and shapes have
succeeded each other. Substance is always there, undisturbed and unaffected by
the varieties of forms it is compelled to undergo. Masses may change—and do
change. Molecules may change—and do change. Disintegration and decomposition
affect both, and bring to them the death of form. But their substance endures
in the Atom. Atoms may change, and decompose, or undergo whatever change that
is their fate, and still the Corpuscles, or what lies beyond the Corpuscles
will remain. The Atom was once regarded as Eternal, but now even it seems to be
capable of dissolving into some finer division of Substance—and perhaps still
finer subdivisions await it.
That
familiar form of Substance that we call "earth," "dirt,"
"soil," etc., is but the result of disintegrated rock, which has
crumbled and lost its former form through the action of air, water and
atmospheric influences. And the rocks themselves, from which the "soil"
came, were at one time a sea of melted, flowing liquid Substance, somewhat
resembling volcanic lava. And this "melted rock" is thought to have
been condensed from the same principles in the shape of vapor, that existed in
the early days of our planetary system. Vapor, gas, liquid, semi-liquid,
solid rock, "soil"—the Substance unchanged, the forms totally unlike.
Helmholtz estimates the density of the nebulous vapors of Substance as being so
rare that it would take several millions of cubic miles of it to weigh a single
grain. Oh, Nature, what a wizard thou art!
We
have spoken of Air and Water, in a former chapter, and their constituent atoms
have been named. And from these three great reservoirs of Substance—the Earth,
the Air, and the Water—are obtained all the material that goes to form the
bodies of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The plant draws its nourishment
from the soil, the air, and water, and in its wonderful chemical laboratory is
able to transform the elements so drawn from these sources into a substance
called "Plasm," which consists principally of carbon, oxygen,
nitrogen and hydrogen, being nearly identical in composition to the white of an
egg, and which constitutes the basis of animal and plant bodily structures. All
the material of the physical bodies, of men, animals and plants, are but forms
of Plasm. The animals, and man, obtain their nourishment, directly or
indirectly, from the plant body, and so at the last we are seen to draw from
the soil, air and water all our bodily nourishment, which we convert into bodily
structure, bone, muscle, flesh, blood, veins, tissue, cells, etc. And the
chemical atoms of our bodies are identical with those in the rock, the air, the
water. And so you see the universality of Substance and its countless forms and
appearances.
Chemistry
resolves Substance back into about seventy-five simple substances, of which
Atoms are the Units, which simple substances are called "Elements."
From these Elements (by their Atoms) all other substances are formed by
combinations, the number of such possible combinations being infinite. An
Element (in order to be an element) must be a "simple" substance,
that is, must be incapable of further analysis into some other elements. The
seventy-five elements, now recognized by science, have never been resolved into
other elements, by chemical analysis, and therefore are accepted as
"simple." But, it is true that other substances that were formerly
considered as simple elements were afterward decomposed by electricity, and
found to consist of two or more simpler substances or elements. Thus new
elements were discovered, and old ones discarded as "not-elemental."
And this fate may be in store for a number of the elements now on the list—and
many new ones may be discovered.
For
a long time Science was endeavoring to trace all elements back to Hydrogen, the
latter being considered the "Ultimate Element," and its atoms
composing all the other atoms, under varying conditions, etc. But this theory
is now almost abandoned, and Science rests on its list of seventy-five elements,
the atoms of which are composed of "Electrons." Some have hazarded
the theory that the Elements were all forms of Ether (see next chapter), their
apparent differences resulting merely from the varying rate of vibration, etc.
And, in fact, such theory was about finally adopted as a working hypothesis
until the discovery of the Corpuscle. Everything in Substance now seems to be
moving back to the Corpuscle, as we shall see a little further on.
The
following is a list of the principal Elements, known to Science, to-day:
· Aluminum.
· Antimony.
· Arsenic.
· Barium.
· Bismuth.
· Boron.
· Bromine.
· Cadmium.
· Calcium.
· Carbon.
· Chlorine.
· Chromium.
· Cobalt.
· Copper.
· Fluorine.
· Gold.
· Hydrogen.
· Iodine.
· Iron.
· Lead.
· Magnesium.
· Manganese.
· Mercury.
· Nickel.
· Nitrogen.
· Oxygen.
· Phosphorus.
· Platinum.
· Potassium.
· Radium.
· Silicon.
· Silver.
· Sodium.
· Strontium.
· Sulphur.
· Tin.
· Zinc.
Of the above, Hydrogen is by far the lightest in weight; in fact
it is used as a unit of Atomic Weight, its weight being marked "1" on
the scale; Gold, 197; Lead, 207; Silver, 108; Oxygen, 16; Nitrogen, 14; Iron,
56.
The
discovery of the Corpuscle, or Electron, rudely shattered the vortex-ring
theory of the origin of the Atom, and now, instead of the Atom being regarded
as a "vortex-ring" in that hypothetical, paradoxical absurdity, the
Ether, it is believed to be composed of a vast number of tiny particles called
Corpuscles, as we saw stated in our last chapter. These Corpuscles seem to be
the "last thing in Substance"—its last known state of refinement, and
already it is being proclaimed as the long-sought for "Primal
Matter," or "Ultimate Substance." Whether or not a still finer
state of Substance will be discovered Science is unable to say, but thinks it
unlikely. But we must not overlook the old Occult Teaching indicating a
state of Substance so fine that it is imperceptible, and only recognizable as
apparently "free force"; its covering, or vehicle of Substance not
being evident. This would seem to indicate a still further refinement of
Substance, although perhaps the "Corpuscle" or "Electron"
will answer to "fill the bill" in the case.
As
to the Corpuscle being "Primal Substance," it must be admitted that
its advocates have presented a very strong case. One of their most important
points is that although Molecules differ very materially from each other,
according to their kinds; and while Atoms likewise manifest very plainly their
"kind," the Corpuscle seems to possess only one
"kind," no matter from what form or "kind" of
Substance it is thrown off. Just think what this means. It means that the
finest particles of Gold, Silver, Iron, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and all the rest of
the Elements, are composed of identically the same material, and
exhibit no differences in "kind." The Elements are no
longer "Simple." All Substance is One, at the last analysis!
The
Corpuscles seem to possess the same Mass—to carry the same charge of
Electricity—to act precisely the same—irrespective of their source. No
difference in size, mass or character, as in the case of the Atom—all are
identical, save in the rate of their vibration at the time of observation,
which is simply a matter of more or less Motion. Space seems to be flooded with
these tiny particles—these Units of Substance. They stream from the Sun; the
Stars; and every body highly heated. Likewise they stream from the bodies of
highly electrified Substance. Groups of these Corpuscles, absolutely identical
in nature, size, mass, etc., constitute the Atoms of the Seventy-five Elements,
the "kind" of Element seemingly being dependent upon the number and
arrangement of the Corpuscles, and possibly by their rate of vibration. Every
Atom is like a great bee-hive with a swarm of Corpuscles vibrating, moving
around each other, and upon their own centres. And, if by the action of intense
heat, transmitted, or caused by interrupted Motion—or if by a strong Electric
charge—some of these Corpuscles are detached from the Atoms (or possibly an
Atom broken up), they fly off through Space at a marvellous speed of many
thousand miles an hour.
So
we see that these wonderful Corpuscles look very much like Primal Matter or
Ultimate Substance—the "Stuff" out of which Substance is made. And,
taking you back to the chapter on "The Universality of Life
and Mind," the writer would remind you that in their Motions and
evident Attraction, etc., these Corpuscles evidence the same "Life and
Mind" that we observed in the Molecules and Atoms. It must be so, for what
is in the manufactured article must be in the material of which the article is
made. And so, even here, Life and Mind have not escaped us. Nor will it in The
Ether!
And
speaking of the Corpuscles, as "manufactured articles," we are
reminded of Herschel's thought about the Atoms, when they were regarded as
Primal Matter and likely to be uniform, and, at the end, of one primal
substance. Although Herschel's conception does not now apply to the Atoms, it
may be transferred to the Corpuscles.
Herschel
thought that the fact that the Particles of Substance were likely to be found
to be uniform in size, and identical in nature and characteristics, indicated
that they might be akin to "manufactured articles," turned out from
the same great machinery of Creation. This idea would indicate that the Creator
applied the rules of careful manufacture to the manufacture of the Particles,
the uniformity operating in the direction of (1) Economy of Material; (2)
Utility through interchangeability, replacing broken or discarded parts,
etc.; and also (3) Conformity to a Standard of Size, Quality, etc.
The
thought is interesting, and is mentioned here for that reason. It is not
affected by the supposition that there may be a still finer and rarer form of
Substance, from which the Particles are "manufactured"—in fact, the
idea of Herschel, if closely analyzed, would seem to indicate some such
"raw material" from which the articles were manufactured.
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