John Smeaton’s practical methodology: The influence of waterwheel efficiency on the vis viva controversy Vrije Universiteit Brussel
John Smeaton (1724-1792) was a British civil engineer who improved waterwheel design by carrying out a number of experimental enquiries using model waterwheels and other devices. His work led him to take a position in the vis viva controversy, a natural philosophical debate about
the nature of motive force started by Leibniz in 1686. The debate centred on whether motive force was measured by quantity of movement (mv) or vis viva (mv^2), ...
the nature of motive force started by Leibniz in 1686. The debate centred on whether motive force was measured by quantity of movement (mv) or vis viva (mv^2), ...