Experiment illustrating centrifugal force
Date
29 May 1667
Creator
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p3
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 360mm
width (page): 240mm
width (page): 240mm
Subject
Content object
Description
The figure shows a stick held horizontally, with a slip of paper hung around its centre. The ends of the paper are pinned to the legs (not the wings) of an insect called an 'old witch'. From waving this paper around the stick, the insect's wings catch the air and make a humming noise.
In a letter dated 29 May 1667, Nathaniel Fairfax (1637-1690) describes to Henry Oldenburg this 'idle experiment' made by the local children, and suggests that it 'may be as instructive in ye doctrine of bodyes endeavouring to recede from their Center in a circular motion, as yt of ye sling wch M. Des Cartes makes use of. & perhaps tis ye onely instance yt natures store affordes, where ye spring of ye wheeling is life or somewht from wthin'.
In a letter dated 29 May 1667, Nathaniel Fairfax (1637-1690) describes to Henry Oldenburg this 'idle experiment' made by the local children, and suggests that it 'may be as instructive in ye doctrine of bodyes endeavouring to recede from their Center in a circular motion, as yt of ye sling wch M. Des Cartes makes use of. & perhaps tis ye onely instance yt natures store affordes, where ye spring of ye wheeling is life or somewht from wthin'.
Related fellows
Henry Oldenburg (1612 - 1677, German) , Scientific correspondent
Associated place