Re-examining Galileo's theory of tides (Q1272584)

The primary aim of this monograph length paper is to examine thoroughly Galileo's attempt to furnish ``a physical proof of the Copernican double motion of the earth (the annual revolution and the diurnal rotation) by means of a model that explained the ebb and flow of the oceans as a consequence of the acceleration and retardation imparted to sea water by the composition of two speeds'': In the process, the author re-examines a great deal of Galileo's thoughts on mechanics. The paper not only involves a careful theoretical study of the relevant works of Galileo and his commentators but also the actual performance of laboratory experiments on the lines of Galileo himself. The author also attempts to clarify several points by the use of modern rational mechanics. It would be impossible to summarize the rich contents of this paper in any brief review; its study would certainly be fruitful to specialists as well as neophytes (like the present reviewer) in Galilean studies.