Modern Cavendish vs LIGO: Gravity Scale & Wave Interruption?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of gravitational detection capabilities between a modern Cavendish-like device and LIGO, particularly focusing on the scale of gravitational forces they can measure and the potential interference of gravitational waves on these measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the magnitude of gravity that a modern Cavendish-like laser detector can measure compared to the gravitational waves detected by LIGO.
  • The same participant wonders if gravitational waves could interrupt measurements taken by a modern Cavendish-like device.
  • Another participant asserts that LIGO is fundamentally different from a Cavendish balance, suggesting that this difference prevents a direct comparison.
  • A question is raised about why human mass may affect gravitational wave measurements while not influencing weight measurements on a scale.
  • A participant reiterates the initial question about the scale of gravity detection, concluding that it is unanswerable due to the lack of a common scale applicable to both devices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the comparison of the two devices, with some asserting that the differences between them make the question unanswerable. There is no consensus on the implications of gravitational waves on the measurements of a modern Cavendish-like device.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the unclear definitions of "scale of magnitude of gravity" and the specific conditions under which measurements are taken by each device. The discussion does not resolve the implications of human mass on gravitational measurements.

roineust
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What is the scale of magnitude of gravity, that a modern Cavendish like laser detector of gravity pull between small daily size objects can detect in comparison to the magnitude of gravitational wave a LIGO like detector can detect?

Will such a modern Cavendish like device measurements be interrupted by gravitational waves?

If i recall correctly, it was said in the past, that people are not allowed to get near certain areas of LIGO, because of the possibility that their body mass will interrupt the LIGO measurement, if so is the opposite also true i.e. that modern Cavendish like device, might be interrupted by gravitational waves passing through it? Are these 2 devices (modern Cavendish and LIGO) essentially the same device?
 
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Given that LIGO is not a Cavendish balance, there is no way to answer your question.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Given that LIGO is not a Cavendish balance, there is no way to answer your question.

Why is it that human order of mass may influence gravitational waves measurement, but human order of weight measurement may not be influenced by gravitational waves?
 
Why is it a bathroom scale isn't a clock but both use springs?
 
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roineust said:
What is the scale of magnitude of gravity, that a modern Cavendish like laser detector of gravity pull between small daily size objects can detect in comparison to the magnitude of gravitational wave a LIGO like detector can detect?

This question is unanswerable because there is no common "scale of magnitude of gravity" that applies to both measurements.

Thread closed.
 
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