On force and weight, with crossbow force problems
The centre of force lies over its support; questions on crossbow force, weight and range
A short heading on force and weight states that the centre of force and of weight always lies perpendicular to the centre of its support. The right side of the sheet carries a chain of four crossbows joined together (c, d, e, f), drawn as linked curved bows, and a crossbow marked 800 stands in the left column. A further crossbow (a-b-e) is accompanied by a set of quantitative problems asking how the drawing force varies at the midpoint of the cord and how force, arrow weight and range scale when a crossbow's power or size is doubled.
On this page
The centre of force stands over its support
Under the heading 'On force and weight', Leonardo states as a principle that the centre of force and of weight will always be perpendicular to the centre of its support.
Four crossbows joined together
A group of four crossbows linked one to another is labelled with the letters c, d, e, f, drawn as a chain of curved bows down the right side of the leaf; a further crossbow in the left column is marked 800.
Problems on crossbow force, weight and range
For a crossbow a-b-e Leonardo asks: if the cord is drawn from a to c with 400 pounds, what force moves it only to the midpoint b? If a crossbow of 200 pounds shoots an arrow 200 braccia, how far will one of 400 pounds shoot? And whether doubled force needs a doubled arrow, and whether a crossbow of doubled size shoots an equal arrow equally far.