A Discourse Presented to the Most Serene Don Cosimo II., Great Duke of Tuscany, Concerning the Natation of Bodies Vpon, and Submersion In, the Water.Galilei, Galileo
Science
A Discourse Presented to the Most Serene Don Cosimo II., Great Duke of Tuscany, Concerning the Natation of Bodies Vpon, and Submersion In, the Water.
Galilei, Galileo
Hydrostatics; Specific gravity
Therefore, beginning to investigate with the examination of exquisite
Experiments that really the Figure doth not a jot alter the descent or
Ascent of the same Solids, and having already demonstrated that the
greater or less Gravity of the Solid in relation to the Gravity of the
_Medium_ is the cause of Descent or Ascent: when ever we would make
proof of that, which about this Effect the diversity of Figure
worketh, its necessary to make the Experiment with Matter wherein
variety of Gravities hath no place. For making use of Matters which
may be different in their Specifical Gravities, and meeting with
varieties of effects of Ascending and Descending, we shall alwayes be
left unsatisfied whether that diversity derive it self really from the
sole Figure, or else from the divers Gravity also. We may remedy this
by takeing one only Matter, that is tractable and easily reduceable
into every sort of Figure. Moreover, it will be an excellent expedient
to take a kinde of Matter, exactly alike in Gravity unto the Water:
for that Matter, as far as pertaines to the Gravity, is indifferent
either to Ascend or Descend; so that we may presently observe any the
least difference that derives it self from the diversity of Figure.
[Sidenote: An Experiment in Wax, that proveth Figure to have no
Operation in Natation & Submersion.]
Now to do this, Wax is most apt, which, besides its incapacity of
receiveing any sensible alteration from its imbibing of Water, is
ductile or pliant, and the same piece is easily reduceable into all
Figures: and being _in Specie_ a very inconsiderable matter inferiour
in Gravity to the Water, by mixing therewith a little of the fileings
of Lead it is reduced to a Gravity exactly equall to that of the
Water.
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