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
the point A must have gone over the circle A V a thousand times, in
order to lift the weight T through a space equal to the circumference
of the roller R S: whence it follows, that the power applied at A will
balance the weight T, if it bear the same proportion to it, as the
circumference of the roller to one thousand times the circle A V; or
the same proportion as half the thickness of the roller bears to one
thousand times A B.
47. I SHALL now explain the effect of the pulley. Let a weight hang by
a pulley, as in fig. 37. Here it is evident, that the power A, by which
the weight B is supported, must be equal to the weight; for the cord C
D is equally strained between them; and if the weight B move, the power
A must move with equal velocity. The pulley E has no other effect, than
to permit the power A to act in another direction, than it must have
done, if it had been directly applied to support the weight without the
intervention of any such instrument.
48. AGAIN, let a weight be supported, as in fig. 38; where the weight
A is fixed to the pulley B, and the cord, by which the weight is
upheld, is annexed by one extremity to a hook C, and at the other end
is held by the power D. Here the weight is supported by a cord doubled;
insomuch that although the cord were not strong enough to hold the
weight single, yet being thus doubled it might support it. If the
end of the cord held by the power D were hung on the hook C, as well
as the other end; then, when both ends of the cord were tied to the
hook, it is evident, that the hook would bear the whole weight; and
each end of the string would bear against the hook with the force of
half the weight only, seeing both ends together bear with the force of
the whole. Hence it is evident, that, when the power D holds one end
of the weight, the force, which it must exert to support the weight,
must be equal to just half the weight. And the same proportion between
the weight and power might be collected from comparing the respective
velocities, with which they would move; for it is evident, that the
power must move through a space equal to twice the distance of the
pulley from the hook, in order to lift the pulley up to the hook.
49. IT is equally easy to estimate the effect, when many pulleys are
combined together, as in fig. 39, 40; in the first of which the under
set of pulleys, and consequently the weight is held by six strings; and
in the latter figure by five: therefore in the first of these figures
the power to support the weight, must be one sixth part only of the
weight, and in the latter figure the power must be one fifth part.
50. THERE are two other ways of supporting a weight by pulleys, which I
shall particularly consider.
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