Measurement of Newton's Constant Using a Torsion Balance with Angular Acceleration Feedback
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
2009-10-31 v2
Abstract
We measured Newton's gravitational constant G using a new torsion balance method. Our technique greatly reduces several sources of uncertainty compared to previous measurements: (1) it is insensitive to anelastic torsion fiber properties; (2) a flat plate pendulum minimizes the sensitivity due to the pendulum density distribution; (3) continuous attractor rotation reduces background noise. We obtain G = (6.674215 +- 0.000092)x10^-11 m^3kg^-1s^-2; the Earth's mass is, therefore, M = (5.972245 +- 0.000082)x10^24 kg and the Sun's mass is M = (1.988435 +- 0.000027)x10^30kg.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.gr-qc/0006043,
title = {Measurement of Newton's Constant Using a Torsion Balance with Angular Acceleration Feedback},
author = {Jens H. Gundlach and Stephen M. Merkowitz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/0006043},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
4 pages, 4 figures