Vis Viva

Episode #634
March 27, 2021

The total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time.
— The Law of Conservation of energy

This idea was described by Galileo in observations of the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy, such as in the motion of a pendulum.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz refined this idea of conservation calling it “vis viva” (living force).

Emilie du Châtelet expanded on Galileo and Leibniz’s ideas in the notes of her Latin to French translation of Newton’s “Principia.”
She suggests that there can be no perpetual motion machine because a system requires energy input in order to continue doing work.

The amount of energy required to move a given mass is derived from Leibniz and Emilie du Châtelet’s ideas.

KE = 1/2 mv²
Kinetic energy equals 1/2 the mass times the relative velocity squared.

Einstein’s theory of relativity quantifies vis viva.
It says that the total Energy of a system = its Mass times the speed of light squared.
E = M C²
If the mass was to completely disintegrate this would be the amount of energy released.

Magnets are a perfect example of vis viva.

When the positive pole of a magnet is connected to the negative pole of another magnet a certain amount of energy is lost. It takes exactly that amount of energy to pull them apart.

Magnetism illustrates attraction and repulsion.

The Earth generates a magnetic field. Molten metal circulates around the outer core of the earth creating a current loop and magnetic field.
The positive magnetic needle of a compass is attracted to the northerly negative magnetic pole of the earth.

Birds are attracted to the earth’s magnetic poles because they can see them.
Birds know which way to fly when migrating because they can see the magnetic field of the earth.
An eye protein called Cry4 is produced in larger quantities during migration season. When blue light strikes the Cry4 receptor a quantum chemical reaction causes the birds’ eyes to see a magnetic pattern.
This pattern is superimposed on the birds’ normal sight. The angle of the pattern shows the bird where magnetic north or south is.

Solar wind is repelled by the Earth’s magnetic field.
As charged particles from the Sun approach the Earth they wash over the magnetic field.

People are attracted or repelled by each other’s magnetism.

A person with a magnetic personality is a calm, authentic listener who radiates a powerful, slightly mysterious influence. This charisma can attract or repel others.

i say that my wife has a magnetic personality.
When we go for a walk she always finds a nail, piece of pipe, wire or some other metal object.
She picks these discarded objects up from the ground so they don’t cause damage to car tires in the neighborhood.
Paula’s magnetism is one of the things that attracts me to her.

The point being made here is that all things are in balance.
For everything that is repelled there is an underlying attraction.

Energy that you extract from a system is only acquired by injecting energy into it.

The effort of maintaining any relationship is equal to the contributions of both parties.
Vis Viva!

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.
—Beatles, “The End.”