Museo Galileo
italiano
Virtual Museum
Apparatus for showing stable equilibrium
    • Setting:
      Room XII
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      late 18th cent.
    • Materials:
      wood, brass
    • Dimensions:
      base diameter 180 mm, height 480 mm
    • Inventory:
      973
    • Apparatus for showing stable equilibrium (Inv. 973)

This apparatus was described by Jean-Antoine Nollet in Leçons de physique expérimentale (Paris, 1743-1748) to introduce the study of levers. It is also used to illustrate the conditions of stable equilibrium.

A column holds a curved brass handle fastened to a gilt wooden statue of Mercury (lacking arms). The system can move freely without falling even though it rests on a metal point. The reason is that the handle is designed to consistently maintain the system's center of gravity below its resting point on the support. Small toys based on the same principle, representing tightrope walkers and jugglers, were once quite popular and are still widely available. Provenance: Lorraine collections.