《新制灵台仪象志·垂线球仪》力学问题之辨析

An Inquiry into Mechanical Problems in Section “Single Pendulum” of Xin Zhi Ling Tai Yi Xiang Zhi

《新制灵台仪象志》为比利时耶稣会士南怀仁所著。此书虽为天文学著作,其中却含有很多来自欧洲的力学知识。《垂线球仪》一节向中国读者介绍了单摆性质、使用及制作方法,其中两道算题讨论落体运动和炮弹匀速运动。本文就《垂线球仪》展开论述,对南怀仁所述单摆、落体及炮弹飞行诸问题做一辨析。

Xin Zhi Ling Tai Yi Xiang Zhi (A Record of New-built Astronomical Instruments in the Observatory) was written by Ferdinand Verbiest, a Jesuit from Belgium. Although this book was written about astronomy, there was mechanical knowledge from the West in it. The section “Single Pendulum” discussed the falling body and the motion of the flying cannonball in two propositions, while introduced the characters, usages and the making of the novelty instrument, “Single Pendulum”, to Chinese readers. This article focuses on “Single Pendulum”, and intends to anatomise the problems of the single pendulum, the falling body and the flying cannonball mentioned by Ferdinand Verbiest.