Page:The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy - 1729 - Volume 1.djvu/385

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Sect. XIII.
of Natural Philopoſophy.
297

between themſelves, are as the diſtances AZ, BZ; but if they are ſuppoſed unequal, are as thoſe particles and their diſtances AZ, BZ conjunctly, or (if I may ſo ſpeak) as thoſe particles drawn into their diſtances AZ, BZ reſpectively. And let thoſe forces be expreſſed by the contents under A x AR, and B x BZ. Join AB, and let it be cut in G, ſo that AG may be to BG as the particle B to the particle A; and G will be the common centre of gravity of the particles A and B. The force A x AZ will (by cor. 2. of the laws) be reſolved into the forces A x GZ and A x AG; and the force B x BZ into the forces B x GZ and B x BG. Now the forces A x AG and B x BG, becauſe A is proportional to B, and BG to AG, are equal; and therefore having contrary directions deſtroy one other. There remain then the forces A x GZ and B x GZ. Theſe tend from Z towards the centre G, and compoſe the force ; that is the ſame force as if the attractive particles A and B were placed in their common centre of gravity G, compoſing there a little globe.

By the ſame reaſoning if there be added a third particle C, and the force of it be compounded with the force tending to the centre G; the force thence ariſing will tend to the common centre of gravity of that globe in G and of the particle C; that is, to the common centre of gravity of the three particles A, B, C; and will be the ſame as if that globe and the particle C were placed in that common centre compoſing a greater globe there. And ſo we may go on in infinitum. Therefore the whole force of all the