Spencer Heath Archive

Item 3031

Fragmentary penciling by Heath on notepad paper

No date

 

 

 

 

1.  A dyne (1/960 of a gram approximately) is a force of such a magnitude that if applied uniformly to a mass of one gram for one second, it will increase or decrease the velocity of that mass by one centimeter per second.

      An erg is a force of one dyne acting through a space of ½ centimeter. An erg-second is a force of one dyne acting through a space of ½ centimeter at the rate of once per second.

 

2.  A mass of one gram that is able or in position to move with a constant or average force of one dyne through a space of one-half centimeter is said to possess one erg of potential energy and to be able to do work in that amount.

 

3.  A mass of one gram that moves or is moved with a force of one dyne through a space of one-half centimeter without reference to ________ any period of time or velocity is said to exert or require one erg of kinetic energy and to do work or be worked upon in that amount.

 

4. A mass of one gram that moves or is moved with a force of one dyne through a space of one-half centimeter during a period of one second will have a velocity of one centimeter per second and is said to exert or acquire one erg-second of kinetic energy and to do work or to be worked upon in that amount.