DISCOURSES
OF THE
MECHANICKS:
A MANVSCRIPT of
Monſieur Des-Cartes.
OF THE
MECHANICKS:
A MANVSCRIPT of
Monſieur Des-Cartes.
The Explication.
Of Engines, by help of which we may raiſe a very great
weight with ſmall ſtrength.
weight with ſmall ſtrength.
The Invention of all theſe Engines de
pends upon one ſole Principle, which is,
That the ſame Force that can lift up a
Weight, for example, of 100 pounds to
the height of one foot, can life up one of
200 pounds to the height of half a foot,
or one of 400 pounds to the height of a
fourth part of a foot, and ſo of the reſt,
be there never ſo much applyed to it: and
this Principle cannot be denied if we conſider, that the Effect
ought to be proportioned to the Action that is neceſſary for the
production of it; ſo that, if it be neceſſary to employ an Action by
which we may raiſe a Weight of 100 pounds to the height of two
foot, for to raiſe one ſuch to the height of one foot only this ſame
ought to weigh 200 pounds: for its the ſame thing to raiſe 100
pounds to the height of one foot, and again yet another 100
pounds to the height of one foot, as to raiſe one of 200 pounds to
the height of one foot, and the ſame, alſo, as to raiſe 100 pounds
to the height of two feet.
pends upon one ſole Principle, which is,
That the ſame Force that can lift up a
Weight, for example, of 100 pounds to
the height of one foot, can life up one of
200 pounds to the height of half a foot,
or one of 400 pounds to the height of a
fourth part of a foot, and ſo of the reſt,
be there never ſo much applyed to it: and
this Principle cannot be denied if we conſider, that the Effect
ought to be proportioned to the Action that is neceſſary for the
production of it; ſo that, if it be neceſſary to employ an Action by
which we may raiſe a Weight of 100 pounds to the height of two
foot, for to raiſe one ſuch to the height of one foot only this ſame
ought to weigh 200 pounds: for its the ſame thing to raiſe 100
pounds to the height of one foot, and again yet another 100
pounds to the height of one foot, as to raiſe one of 200 pounds to
the height of one foot, and the ſame, alſo, as to raiſe 100 pounds
to the height of two feet.
Now, the Engines which ſerve to make this Application of a
Force which acteth at a great Space upon a Weight which it cau
Force which acteth at a great Space upon a Weight which it cau
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