The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 01 (of 11)Hobbes, Thomas
Philosophy
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 01 (of 11)
Hobbes, Thomas
Philosophy, English -- 17th century
For the motion from A to C is made by two coefficient or concurrent
motions, the one in A H parallel to D G, the other in A D perpendicular
to the same D G; of which two motions that in A H works nothing upon the
body A after it has been moved as far as C, because, by supposition, it
doth not pass the strait line D G; whereas the endeavour in A D, that is
in H C, worketh further towards I. But seeing it doth only press and not
penetrate, there will be reaction in H, which causeth motion from C
towards H; and in the meantime the motion in H E remains the same it was
in A H; and therefore the body will now be moved by the concourse of two
motions in C H and H E, which are equal to the two motions it had
formerly in A H and H C. Wherefore it will be carried on in C E. The
angle therefore of reflection will be E C G, equal, by construction, to
the angle A C D; which was to be demonstrated.
Now when the body is considered but as a point, it is all one whether
the superficies or line in which the reflection is made be strait or
crooked; for the point of incidence and reflection C is as well in the
crooked line which toucheth D G in C, as in D G itself.
[Sidenote: The same happens in the generation of motion in the line of
incidence.]
9. But if we suppose that not a body be moved, but some endeavour only
be propagated from A to C, the demonstration will nevertheless be the
same. For all endeavour is motion; and when it hath reached the solid
body in C, it presseth it, and endeavoureth further in C I. Wherefore
the reaction will proceed in C H; and the endeavour in C H concurring
with the endeavour in H E, will generate the endeavour in C E, in the
same manner as in the repercussion of bodies moved.
If therefore endeavour be propagated from any point to the concave
superficies of a spherical body, the reflected line with the
circumference of a great circle in the same sphere will make an angle
equal to the angle of incidence.
For if endeavour be propagated from A (in fig. 6) to the circumference
in B, and the centre of the sphere be C, and the line C B be drawn, as
also the tangent D B E; and lastly if the angle F B D be made equal to
the angle A B E, the reflection will be made in the line B F, as hath
been newly shown. Wherefore the angles, which the strait lines A B and F
B make with the circumference, will also be equal. But it is here to be
noted, that if C B be produced howsoever to G, the endeavour in the line
G B C will proceed only from the perpendicular reaction in G B; and that
therefore there will be no other endeavour in the point B towards the
parts which are within the sphere, besides that which tends towards the
centre.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account