Explanation of the Problem and Enquiry on the Actual Causes of This Wonderful Effect

Abstract

In the experiment thus described, something can be found for the infinity of the virtue of percussion as will be shown in due place. Nevertheless, it is worth-while to find out the error in the reasoning. To make it clear, the property of percussion which we presented above must be repeated. We said indeed that the motive force of any body results from the violence or intensive force of this body and from its distribution or expansion throughout all the material mass so that no particle of the body can be found which would be deprived of the same impetus and equal velocity. Therefore, the same motive virtue is diffused everywhere throughout the body mass. If two hammers have the same weight and the same velocity, they will carry out two percussions absolutely equal at a median and perpendicular incidence on the same body. Everybody would agree with that.