William John Macquorn Rankine Quotes

#1. This law (regarding the theoretical efficiency of heat engines by Mr. Joule), and the law of the maximum efficiency of heat engines, are particular cases of a general law which regulates all transformation of energy, and is the basis of the Science of Energetics.

William John Macquorn Rankine

#2. Discrepancy between theory and practice, which in sound physical and mechanical science is a delusion, has a real existence in the minds of men; and that fallacy, through rejected by their judgments, continues to exert and influence over their acts.

William John Macquorn Rankine

#3. The law of the conservation of energy is already known, viz. that the sum of the actual and potential energies in the universe is unchangeable.

William John Macquorn Rankine

#4. A hypothetical theory is necessary, as a preliminary step, to reduce the expression of the phenomena to simplicity and order before it is possible to make any progress in framing an abstractive theory.

William John Macquorn Rankine