The force of gravitation is further demonstrated by the action of the sun and moon raising the waters of the ocean, and producing the tides; and also by the earth and moon, and other planets and satellites, being prevented from flying from their natural paths or orbits around the sun. It is also very clearly proved that there must be some kind of attractive force resident in the earth, or else all moveable things, the water, the air, the living and dead matters, would fly away from the surface of the earth in obedience to what is called "centrifugal force." Our earth is twenty-four hours in performing one rotation on its axis, which is an imaginary line drawn from pole to pole, and represented by the wire round which we cause a sphere to rotate. All objects, therefore, on the earth are moving with the planet at an enormous velocity; and this movement is called the earth's diurnal, or daily rotation. Now, it will be remembered, that mud or other fluid matter flies off, and is not retained by the circumference of a wheel in motion: when a mop is trundled, or a dog or sheep, after exposure to rain, shake themselves, the water is thrown off by what is called centrifugal force (centrum, a centre, fugio, to fly from).
CHAPTER II.
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE.
That power which drives a revolving body from a centre, and it may be illustrated by turning a closed parasol, or umbrella, rapidly round on its centre, the stick being the axis—the ribs fly out, and if there is much friction in the parts, the illustration is more certain by attaching a bullet to the end of each rib, as shown in our drawing.
Fig. 21.
The same fact may be illustrated by a square mahogany rod, say one inch square and three feet long, with two flaps eighteen inches in length, hanging by hinges, and parallel to the sides of the centre rod, which immediately fly out on the rotation of the long centre piece.
Fig. 22.