The heat-tendency of the universe is also revealed in the far-reaching “law of maximum work,” which defines that chemical change, accomplished without the intervention of external energy, tends to the production of the body, or system of bodies, which disengage the greatest quantity of heat.[1] And, again, vast numbers of actions going on throughout nature are attended by dissipatory thermal effects, as those arising from the motions of proximate molecules (friction, viscosity), and from the fall of electrical potential.

Thus, on all sides, the energy which was once most probably existent in the form of gravitational potential, is being dissipated into unavailable forms.  We must

[1] Berthelot, Essai de Mecanique Chimique.

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recognize dissipation as an inevitable attendant on inanimate transfer of energy.

But when we come to consider inanimate actions in relation to time, or time-rate of change, we find a new feature in the phenomena attending transfer of energy; a feature which is really involved in general statements as to the laws of physical interactions.[1] It is seen, that the attitude of inanimate material systems is very generally, if not in all cases, retardative of change—­opposing it by effects generated by the primary action, which may be called “secondary” for convenience.  Further, it will be seen that these secondary effects are those concerned in bringing about the inevitable dissipation.

As example, let us endeavour to transfer gravitational potential energy contained in a mass raised above the surface of the Earth into an elastic body, which we can put into compression by resting the weight upon it.  In this way work is done against elastic force and stored as elastic potential energy.  We may deal with a metal spring, or with a mass of gas contained in a cylinder fitted with a piston upon which the weight may be placed.  In either case we find the effect of compression is to raise the temperature of the substance, thus causing its

[1] Helmholtz, Ice and Glaciers. Atkinson’s collection of his Popular Lectures.  First Series, p.120.  Quoted by Tate, Heat, p. 311.

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expansion or increased resistance to the descent of the weight.  And this resistance continues, with diminishing intensity, till all the heat generated is dissipated into the surrounding medium.  The secondary effect thus delays the final transfer of energy.

Again, if we suppose the gas in the cylinder replaced by a vapour in a state of saturation, the effect of increased pressure, as of a weight placed upon the piston, is to reduce the vapour to a liquid, thereby bringing about a great diminution of volume and proportional loss of gravitational potential by the weight.  But this change will by no means be brought about instantaneously.  When a little of the vapour is condensed, this portion parts with latent heat of vaporisation, increasing the tension of the remainder, or raising its point of saturation, so that before the weight descends any further, this heat has to escape from the cylinder.