Equal Bodies Moved by Equal Powers; Circular Motion
A bow drawn by a 1000 weight, artillery compared, and a screw of water flung from a whirling vessel.
Leonardo considers equal and similar bodies driven by equal powers and concludes that the one accompanied longer by its mover travels farthest; he proves it by comparing two artilleries of equal bore and charge, the shorter of which accompanies its shot less. Two figures of a bow drawn by a weight of 1000 illustrate the theme in the right margin. He then treats circular motion, noting that a body flung from a wheel abandons the circular path for a straight one, and a marginal note adds that the movable's speed never equals its mover's. A small spiral drawing shows how a whirling vessel pours water into a screw-shape in the air.
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Which of equal bodies moved by equal powers goes farthest
Among equal and similar movables driven by equal powers through an equal medium, the one that travels farthest after leaving its mover is the one the mover accompanied longer. Proof: of two artilleries alike in bore, powder and shot, the shorter accompanies the ball less.
Bow drawn by a weight of 1000
Two figures in the right margin show a bow bent by a suspended weight of 1000, the drawn bowstave arcing above the load. They serve as the mechanical demonstration of a mover accompanying its projectile.
Circular motion and the discharge of a body
Uniform circular motion drives a body from itself as much in one whole revolution as in many, and flings it farthest when the circulation nears completion. Once divided from the wheel the body no longer keeps the circular motion but follows a straight line; and the movable's speed never equals the mover's.
Screw of water thrown by a whirling vessel
The circular motion of a vessel that pours water through a hole makes a screw of water in the air. A small spiral is drawn in the lower right corner to show the twisting stream.