A View of Sir Isaac Newton's PhilosophyPemberton, Henry
Science
A View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy
Pemberton, Henry
Newton, Isaac, 1642-1727. Principia
But we see in these instruments, when they are charged with weights,
which equiponderate with the beam hanging horizontally; that, if
the beam be inclined either way, the weight most elevated surmounts
the other, and descends, causing the beam to swing, till by degrees
it recovers its horizontal position. This effect arises from the
forementioned structure: for by this structure these instruments are
levers composed of two arms, which make an angle at the point of
support (as in fig. 29, 30.) the first of which represents the case
of the common balance, the second the case of the steelyard. In the
first, where C E and C F are equal, equal weights hung at E and F will
equiponderate, when the points E and F are in an horizontal situation.
Suppose the lines E G and F H to be perpendicular to the horizon, then
they will denote the directions, wherein the forces applied to E and
F act. Therefore the proportion between the weights at E and F, which
shall equiponderate, are to be judged of by perpendiculars, as C I, C
K, let fall from C upon E G and F H: so that the weights being equal,
the lines C I, C K, must be equal also, when the weights equiponderate.
But I believe my readers will easily see, that since C E and C F are
equal, the lines C I and C K will be equal, when the points E and F are
horizontally situated.
37. IF this lever be set into any other position (as in fig. 31.) then
the weight, which is raised highest, will outweigh the other. Here,
if the point F be raised higher than E, the perpendicular C K will be
longer than C I: and therefore the weights would equiponderate, if
the weight at F were less than the weight at E. But the weight at
F is equal to that at E; therefore is greater, than is necessary to
counterbalance the weight at E, and consequently will outweigh it, and
draw the beam of the lever down.
38. IN like manner in the case of the steelyard (fig. 32.) if the
weights at E and F are so proportioned, as to equiponderate, when the
points E and F are horizontally situated; then in any other situation
of this lever the weight, which is raised highest, will preponderate.
That is, if in the horizontal situation of the points E and F the
weight at F bears the same proportion to the weight at E, as C I bears
to C K; then, if the point F be raised higher than E (as in fig. 32.)
the weight at F shall bear a greater proportion to the weight at E,
than C I bears to C K.
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