The Works of John Playfair ...: With a Memoir of the Author ...A. Constable & Company, 1822 - 8 pages |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 88
Page 12
... theory of the moon , but a de- termination of the sun's distance from the earth . The former is well known to be the most difficult subject to which mathematics have been applied . Though begun by Sir Isaac Newton , and explain- ed , as ...
... theory of the moon , but a de- termination of the sun's distance from the earth . The former is well known to be the most difficult subject to which mathematics have been applied . Though begun by Sir Isaac Newton , and explain- ed , as ...
Page 14
... theory of the composition and resolution of forces enables us to determine what part of the solar force is employed in disturbing the motions of the moon ; and , therefore , could we measure the instantaneous effect of that force , or ...
... theory of the composition and resolution of forces enables us to determine what part of the solar force is employed in disturbing the motions of the moon ; and , therefore , could we measure the instantaneous effect of that force , or ...
Page 22
... theory of the moon's motions , with which science has been en- riched , since the time to which we now refer , suf- ficiently vindicate the principle of Dr Stewart's in- vestigation , and show how much reason he had to expect , that the ...
... theory of the moon's motions , with which science has been en- riched , since the time to which we now refer , suf- ficiently vindicate the principle of Dr Stewart's in- vestigation , and show how much reason he had to expect , that the ...
Page 41
... Theory of the Earth of several of the observations which he made at that time . About the end of the summer he returned to Scotland , and hesitated awhile in the choice of a si- tuation where he might best carry into effect his plans of ...
... Theory of the Earth of several of the observations which he made at that time . About the end of the summer he returned to Scotland , and hesitated awhile in the choice of a si- tuation where he might best carry into effect his plans of ...
Page 44
... Theory of the Earth , as affording a proof that the salt rock was not form- ed from mere aqueous deposition . His friend Mr Watt of Birmingham accompanied him in his visit to the mines . One It was after returning to Birmingham from Che ...
... Theory of the Earth , as affording a proof that the salt rock was not form- ed from mere aqueous deposition . His friend Mr Watt of Birmingham accompanied him in his visit to the mines . One It was after returning to Birmingham from Che ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accuracy accurate afford ancient angles appear arch ascertained astronomical Board of Longitude bodies calculation cause circumstances computation considerable considered deduced degree Delambre determined discoveries distance Dr Black Dr Hutton Dr Simson Dr Stewart Dunkirk earth Edinburgh effect employed England equal equator error experiments extremely fathoms force France French geometer geometry give given gravity heat inequalities instrument investigation irregularities Jupiter known Laplace latitude length less longitude mathematical mathematicians matter means measured ment mentioned meridian method mixed mathematics moon moon's motion mountain Mudge nature nearly never Newton object observations orbit pendulum perpendicular philosophers planets Porisms principle probably problem produced Punnae quantity remark repeating circle revolution Robison Royal schistus seems side spherical excess stations supposed surface theodolite theorem theory thing tion toises trigono trigonometrical survey truth University of Edinburgh vibrations whole zenith
Popular passages
Page 79 - The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time ; and while we listened with, earnestness and admiration to the philosopher who was now unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful events, we became sensible how much farther reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow.
Page 522 - An account of experiments for determining the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London.
Page 301 - ... the base, as the square of the radius to the square of the cosine of half the angle included between the two sides of the triangle.
Page 309 - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page 111 - Great caution in his reasonings, and a coolness of head that even approached to indifference, were characteristic of Dr Black. On attending to their conversation, and the way in which they treated any question of science or philosophy, one would...
Page 125 - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour — The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Page 325 - In one of these, where the dictates of Aristotle are still listened to as infallible decrees, and where the infancy of science is mistaken for its maturity, the mathematical sciences have never flourished ; and the scholar has no means of advancing beyond the mere elements of geometry.
Page 469 - ... of the whole quantity of matter in the earth. But the attraction of a quantity of matter at the earth's centre would be more powerful on a body at the bottom of a mine than on one at the top, in the inverse ratio of the squares of the distances of the bodies from the earth's centre : that is in the present case in the ratio of four to one. Hence the attraction on a body at the bottom of the mine would be, on the whole, less than the attraction on a body on the top in the ratio of one to two.
Page 53 - It is unreasonable, indeed, to suppose that such marks should any where exist. The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction ; he has not permitted in his works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration.
Page 54 - Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction. He has not permitted in His works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration. He may put an end, as he no doubt gave a beginning, to the present system at some determinate period of time ; but we may rest assured that this great catastrophe will not be brought about by the laws...