ATTRACTION

(Lat. ad, to, and traho, I draw.) Used in physics to denote the tendency which we observe in certain bodies to approach one another, and to resist separation. The meaning of this term has been greatly obscured by metaphysical disputations. When a body A, is connected with another body B, by a rod, or chain, or in general by the intervention of any mechanical means, we see, or fancy we see, the reason why B attracts A, or A is compelled to follow the motions of B. But when two distinct bodies not connected by any visible bond of union are observed to aproach one another, the phenomenon seems to a ume a greater degree of mystery, from our being no longer able to perceive any mode by which the one body can act on the other. On reflecting, however, on the constitution of material substances, and considering that they are composed of [s. 118]