Completing Book II of Archimedes's ``On floating bodies'' (Q1777526): Difference between revisions

Starting from Archimedes' book (Book II), entitled `On Floating Bodies' (discussing the stable equilibrium positions of floating paraboloids of various shapes), the author of the present study extends Archimedes' investigations to more complex cases, in which the base of the floating paraboloid is partially submerged. Supported by the opportunities of modern computing techniques and, computer graphics a three-dimensional surface has been realized, including all possible equilibrium positions (including the stable and the unstable ones). After providing a thorough definition of a paraboloid, the author develops an exhaustive exposition of the main ideas developed by Archimedes in his books. Highly convincing graphics contributes to a ready understanding of the abstract ideas under discussion.