But although the attractive virtue of the earth extends…
“But although the attractive virtue of the earth extends upwards, as has been said, so very far, yet if any stone should be at a distance great enough to become sensible compared with the earth's diameter, it is true that on the motion of the earth such a stone would not follow altogether; its own force of resistance would be combined with the attractive force of the earth, and thus it would extricate itself in some degree from the motion of the earth.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Kepler explains that a distant stone would not fully follow Earth's motion due to its own resistance and Earth's gravity, causing slight deviation.
In simple terms: A far stone would lag behind Earth's movement.
Key Takeaway
Consider forces that alter motion.
Themes
physics
gravity
motion
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- space travel
- satellite deployment
- geology studies
Key Concepts
inertia
gravitational pull
orbital dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does resistance affect orbital paths?
- What limits does gravity impose?
A Different Perspective
Assumes idealized conditions; real-world factors may differ.