Enestrom Number
619
Fuss Index
626
Original Language
Latin
Content Summary
Euler finds that, in the figure of the Earth determined by the gravity towards its center and the centrifugal force arising from its rotation, the ratio of the diameter of the equator to the axis is 577:576. He says that the discrepancy between this ratio and that derived from geodetic measurements shows that, in addition to the gravity to the center of the earth and the centrifugal force, the earth must also be subject to a lateral force that results from universal gravitation. Euler defines universal gravitation in terms of its required mathematical properties. He then says that if the entire earth were fluid, its surface could never arrive at an equilibrium state. (Based on Eric J. Aiton's introduction to Opera Omnia Series 2, Volume 31.)
Published as
Journal article
Published Date
1788
Written Date
1775
Original Source Citation
Nova Acta Academiae Scientiarum Imperialis Petropolitanae, Volume 2, pp. 121-130.
Opera Omnia Citation
Series 2, Volume 31, pp.349-358.
Record Created
2018-09-25
