I shall endeavour in this course of lectures to illustrate the elementary laws of mechanics by means of experiments.

Experimental Mechanics by Robert S. Ball is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. Read this book online for free on HackerNoon!

The action of the wind upon the sails of a vessel affords a very instructive and useful example of the decomposition of forces.

Having now examined the subject experimentally, we proceed to investigate what may be learned from the results we have proved.

The law of friction under different conditions must be inquired into, in order that we may make allowance when its effect is of importance.

It is useless to speculate on the extinct race by whom this work was achieved, or on the means they employed.

The spring is strained by the action of the lever, and the index records the magnitude of the force produced at the short end.

The mechanical powers now to be considered are often used for other purposes beside those of raising great weights.

We have learned that the compressive strength, and, still more, the tensile strength of timber, is much greater than its transverse strength.

I shall commence the description of the principle of this bridge by performing some experiments upon a tube, which I hold in my hand.

Kinetics is that branch of mechanics which treats of the action of forces in the production of motion.

In this chapter we shall study the comparatively simple case of a body revolving in a circle.

The pendulum is of the utmost importance in science, as well as for its practical applications as a time-keeper.

Any body rotating about an axis may be made to oscillate by gravity.