The infinite variability of percussion
Equal powers, bodies and distances may yield impacts variable to infinity
This sheet carries the science of impact onward from the facing folio, listing the terms in play: power, moving body, space, object, and percussion. Leonardo repeatedly asserts that percussion is an impediment to motion and that power is in itself variable to infinity. Even where equal powers drive equal bodies through equal spaces onto equal objects, the resulting percussions can differ without limit. A figure with numbers underscores that one and the same moving body, struck with equal impetus on objects of equal resistance, may generate percussions variable to infinity.
On this page
The terms of percussion; power variable to infinity
Power, moving body, space, object, and percussion. Even though equal powers drive equal moving bodies through equal spaces upon equal objects, power is in itself variable to infinity.
Percussion is an impediment to motion
One and the same power of impetus, with equal moving bodies, can create upon one and the same object percussions variable to infinity, and likewise over equal distances and upon the same place.
A numbered figure of variable impacts
A figure with numbers accompanies the claim that one and the same moving body, struck with equal impetus upon objects of equal resistance, generates percussions variable to infinity.
