190 J. R. Mayer on Celestial Dynamics. 
Let r be the radius of a spherical and solid celestial body, and 
g the velocity at the end of the first second of a weight falling 
on the surface of this body; then the greatest velocity which 
this weight can obtain by its fall toward the celestial body, or 
the velocity with which it will arrive at its surface after a fall 
from an infinite height, is V2gr in one second. This number, 
wherein g and r are expressed in metres, we shall ¢ oe 
For our globe the value of g is 9°8164....and that of f 
6,369,800; and consequently én our earth 
G=/(2 X 9°8164 X 6,369,800)— 11,183. 
The solar radius is 112-05 times that of the earth and the ve- 
locity produced by gravity on the sun’s surface is 28°36 times 
greater than the same velocity on the surface of our globe; the 
greatest velocity therefore which a body could obtain in conse 
quence of the solar attraction, or 
Gan/ (28°36 X 11205) X11,183—=630,400 ; 
2a—h 
G =, 
* a 2axh 
At the moment the planet comes in contact with the solar sur 
face, h is equal to 1, and its velocity is therefore 
26— 1 
GX 
It follows from this formula that the smaller 2a Sed the rg 
i will 
its Velocity when it reaches the sun. This velocity, like the 
2a can never be less than 2. The smallest velocity with he 
we can imagine a cosmical body to arrive on the su ecto 
sun is consequently | 
. Gx Jsso00, 
or a velocity of 60 geographical miles in one second. 
