Easiest Cavendish G experimental setup

  • Thread starter Thread starter rockyshephear
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Experimental
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the easiest homemade method to measure the gravitational constant G using a Cavendish-like experiment. Key challenges include minimizing vibrations and draughts that could disrupt the setup, as well as accurately determining the properties of the torsion fiber. The frequency shift method is suggested as a viable alternative, which involves measuring the oscillation period of a freely oscillating balance to reduce uncertainty. Accurate timing can be achieved using a GPS receiver. Overall, measuring G remains a complex task due to its status as the least precise constant in physics.
rockyshephear
Messages
232
Reaction score
0
Can anyone suggest the absolute easiest home-made method to determine grossly the value of G in a Cavendish like experiment?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One of the difficulties in using a torsion balance to measure G is in knowing the properties of the torsion fiber to a high degree of accuracy. There is another torsion balance method, called the frequency shift method, that reduces this uncertainty. The balance is allowed to oscillate freely and the period of the oscillations are measured. I think I would use this method if I were going to attempt it. You could get very accurate timing pulses from a GPS receiver.

Because of the difficulties in measuring the force of gravity, G is the least precise constant in all of physics. You may find this website interesting:
http://www.npl.washington.edu/eotwash/experiments/bigG/bigG.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Thread 'Why can't Solar panels be hemispherical, or a curved strip type?'

comparing a flat solar panel of area 2π r² and a hemisphere of the same area, the hemispherical solar panel would only occupy the area π r² of while the flat panel would occupy an entire 2π r² of land. wouldn't the hemispherical version have the same area of panel exposed to the sun, occupy less land space and can therefore increase the number of panels one land can have fitted? this would increase the power output proportionally as well. when I searched it up I wasn't satisfied with...
View full post »

Similar threads

Factors Affecting Gravitation Constant: Understanding G in Cavendish Experiment
Replies
6
Views
7K
I need data from the Cavendish Experiment
Replies
1
Views
3K
I Discussion about least squares method
Replies
2
Views
2K
I What was the value of the permeability constant in 1865?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Find the attractive force of gravity between two objects
Replies
8
Views
2K
I How to find the value of a constant experimentally?
Replies
8
Views
3K
A Photon Bouncing during APD Dead Time in Autocorrelation Measurement
Replies
1
Views
2K
Experimental Design: Pulley and Mass Hangers
Replies
30
Views
3K
I About comparison to experimental reference values
Replies
5
Views
2K
Determining margin off error within experimental calculations
Replies
6
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top