Unpublished paper, 'Eclaircissement des forces de la fronde' [Clarification of the force of catapults] by Johann Caspar Fraenkel

Description

Unpublished paper by Fraenkel regarding the mathematics behind the force of catapults, touching on the quadrature of irrational numbers, square roots, and attempting to disprove the theories of acceleration of falling bodies put forth by Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei by way of levers. He describes his design for a machine made of levers that produce a combined force to move balls of varying densities. Fraenkel argues that Newton's theories are false because balls of different densities will not follow the same trajectory if the same amount of force is applied to them. Preceded by a letter from Fraenkel to an unknown recipient, introducing the paper and and Fraenkel's ideology and principles. Includes five figures illustrating Fraenkel's catapult machine.

The paper is followed by further geometric figures and explanations in French and German loosely related to Fraenkel's paper and letter, found at AP/2/4a.

Subject: Physics / Mathematics

Written by Fraenkel in Hamburg [Germany] at Mde de Drusina, Brodschrangen No 52.

Reference number

AP/2/4

Earliest possible date

29 August 1828

Physical description

Ink on paper

Page extent

33 pages

Format

Manuscript
Drawing