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EMERSION

Volume 6 · 234 words · 1797 Edition

in physics, the rising of any solid above the surface of a fluid specifically heavier than itself, into which it had been violently immersed or thrust.

It is one of the known laws of hydrostatics, that a lighter solid being forced down into a heavier fluid, immediately endeavours to emerge; and that with a force or moment equal to the excess of weight of a quantity of the fluid above that of an equal bulk of the solid. Thus, if a solid be immersed in a fluid of double its specific gravity, it will emerge again till half its bulk or body be above the surface of the fluid.

in astronomy, is when the sun, moon, or other planet, begins to re-appear, after its having been eclipsed, or hid by the interposition of the moon, earth, or other body.

The difference of longitude is sometimes found by observing the immersions and emersions of the first of Jupiter's satellites. The immersions are observed from the time of Jupiter's being in conjunction with the sun to his opposition; and the emersion, from the opposition to the conjunction; which two intervals are usually six months a-piece, and divide the year between them. But when Jupiter is in conjunction with the sun, and 15 days before and afterwards, there is nothing to be observed; the planet, with his satellites, being then lost in the light of the sun.