Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-08-28
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MoTIoE PossIBLE.-Foucalt's exper.
fiment for illustrating the revolution
of the earth upon its axis, by means
Of the pendulum, has been received
with favor by the scientific world,
and repeated in many places with
satisfactory results. Still the Difficult.
ties attending the use Of the pendu.
lum in this beautiful experiment are
numerous, and have given rise to
considerable discussion among savans
both in Europe and America, and
some 60 so far as to assert that the
experiments with that instrument
Provejust nothing. We have il in
our power, however, to announce
that modific ition Of this expert.
ment has been tried in this city with
most certain and conclusive results.
The simple but admirable experiment
which we refer to was made on Fri
day, the 9th inst, by Mr.. George e.
Davies, recently o. Louisville, but
now resident Of this city, assisted
by Mr.. Samuel R. Carter, young
Cincinnatian, OF fine natural abilities
and considerable scientific acquire
ments. IT consists in balancing upon
a steel pivot a small pine rod, about
seven feet long, and which is left 10
revolve freely in any direction in
horizontal plane.a This rod is so del
icately poised that the slightest breath
Of air will setf vibrating for long
time. This simple icoDtriVance is
placed in close room with n glass
door, and there left alone to work out
its singular demonstration Of the
.earth's rotation which il does by re-
naming at rest, pointing in one di.
rection in space, while the room re-
wolves as it were around it. The Pc
.riod Of its apparent revolution is
about So hours, though sufficient
time has not yet elapsed 10 determine
this point with certainly. This,
however, agrees pretty nearly with
the mathematical calculations Of the
time required for complete revolu-
ton in this latitude. .-1
Prof. Mitchell, who has seen this
apparatus, expresses, We understand,
the highest admiration at the simpli-
city and perfectness Of the demonstra
ton. He mas, we learn, made some
suggestions in regard to the coastruc-
ton and use Of an instrument Of the
kind, by which many curious aud
important results can be obtained,
and which suggestions will be adop-
ted by the experimenleTs.
There is one extraordinary fact es-
tablished by this use OF a lever. in
stead Of pendulum. II is the de-
monstralion Of the possibility Of the
construction OF a machine, of no
practical utility, it is true, having i
motion that will be perpetual-or so
long as the earth eYolves upon its
axis at present; for to all intents and
purposes the simple contrivance Of
Mr.. Davies has perpetual motion, for
we cannot conceive of its ever stop |
ping except by natural decay, or by
force. Technically speaking, howev-
er, the lever does not revUl We at all
the earth performing that part OF the
motion. Yet it is easy enough TO
conceive Of the attachment OF ma
chinery SO delicately constructed as
10 be moved by the inertia OF the le-
yer and thus TO establish a motion
independent Of the earth. aH
We understand that the gentle
men who have made the above ex-
Periments intend, SO soon. as they find
leisure TO do so, 10 prepare perfect
and give their friends an
opportunity .owitness- its perform
Gaz. ,.t r'.J r..u