The descent of elements and the equal fall of a balanced beam
A natural-philosophy note on elements returning to their mass, with many bracket-and-cord force diagrams
The note argues that every part of an element separated from its mass seeks to return by the shortest way, that the greater mass draws its like along the line of its departure (air under water, fire under air, earth over water, water over air), and that a beam of even weight and thickness, pushed down from on high with its ends equally distant from the centre of the world, will never bring one end nearer that centre than the other. Around and below the text are many small diagrams of a beam or bracket projecting from a wall or post, stayed by a diagonal cord, together with pulleys and a large fan of lines showing the arm swept through successive angles. The drawings are studies of the forces in a loaded, obliquely supported beam.
On this page
Every element returns to its mass by the shortest way
Every part of an element parted from its mass desires to rejoin it by the shortest path, and where elements are mingled the greater sum draws its companions back along the line of its departure — air rising under water, fire under air, earth sinking under water, water over air.
A balanced beam favours neither end in its fall
A body of even weight and thickness, whose two extremities are equally distant from the centre of the world and which is thrust down from a high place, will never bring one extremity nearer to that centre than the other. Its descent stays symmetrical about the centre.
Brackets stayed by a cord over a pulley
The margins carry rows of small diagrams of a beam projecting from a vertical post or wall, held by a diagonal stay-cord and fitted with pulleys, drawn at several inclinations. A large fan of radiating lines shows the arm rotated through successive angles.