Single Idea 20973

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 2. Thermodynamics / c. Conservation of energy]

Full Idea

Helmholtz crucially asserted that all forces conserve the sum of kinetic and potential energy; superficially non-conservative forces like friction are simply macroscopic manifestations of more fundamental forces conserving energy at the micro-level.

Gist of Idea

All forces conserve the sum of kinetic and potential energy

Source

report of Hermann von Helmholtz (On the Conservation of Force [1847]) by David Papineau - Thinking about Consciousness App 4.3

Book Reference

Papineau,David: 'Thinking about Consciousness' [OUP 2004], p.246


A Reaction

Friction had been a problem case, because it appeared not to conserve energy when it slowed movement down.