Buoyancy: displaced water equals the weight it sustains
In pen, with red-chalk figures of weights on cords and studies of shade and light
In pen Leonardo states a principle of floating bodies: as much water leaves its place as the weight it drives out, and the weight held up upon the water equals the weight of the water that makes room for it. Beneath the writing, faint red-chalk sketches show weights hung from cords together with small studies of shadow and light. The leaf combines his science of buoyancy with figure exercises in light and shade.
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Displaced water equals the weight the water sustains
Leonardo states that as much weight of water flees its place as equals the weight the water drives out, and that the weight sustained upon the water equals the weight of the water that gives it room. This is his statement of buoyant support for a body resting on or in water.
Red-chalk figures of shadow and light
The caption records that below the writing are figures, and others treating shadows and lights. These faint red-chalk studies sit apart from the buoyancy note.