Measuring gravity with quantum mechanics using lead

[sanman]

A Stanford researcher has measured the effect of gravity using quantum mechanics:

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn10948&feedId=online-news_rss20

Can this shed new light on the gravitational constant, dark matter, the quantum vacuum, or even the universe?

Why did they have to use lead as the weight, anyway? Wouldn't any equivalent mass do?

 

[marlon]

A Stanford researcher has measured the effect of gravity using quantum mechanics:

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn10948&feedId=online-news_rss20

Can this shed new light on the gravitational constant, dark matter, the quantum vacuum, or even the universe?

Why did they have to use lead as the weight, anyway? Wouldn't any equivalent mass do?

Sounds interesting. Anyhow, to answer your questions we should read the Science, vol 315, p 74 article they are referring to. I will check it out when i am at work on monday.

marlon

 

[Bannon]

I think they used the lead piece because of its mass and density.

 

[sanman]

This is why I think the discovery and bulk manufacture of predicted stable ultra-heavy elements like Unbihexium (Atomic Number 126) could be achieved, then their unprecedented mass-densities could open new potential in scientific investigation.