Zhang Heng’s seismoscope and turbine: what they have in common

1. Step 1. Zhang Heng’s seismoscope — uses — Pendulum. An internal pendulum (according to reconstructions).
2. Step 2. Pendulum — uses — Newton’s laws. The swing is described by Newtonian mechanics.
3. Step 3. Newton’s laws — includes — Reaction force. Reaction is Newton’s third law.
4. Step 4. Reaction force — is used in — Heron’s aeolipile. Jets of steam spin the ball by reaction force.
5. Step 5. Heron’s aeolipile — evolved into — Turbine. The aeolipile is the oldest ancestor of the steam turbine.

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