Learn about our response to COVID-19, including freely available research and expanded remote access support.

Measurement of Newton's Constant Using a Torsion Balance with Angular Acceleration Feedback

Jens H. Gundlach and Stephen M. Merkowitz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2869 – Published 2 October 2000
PDFExport Citation

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)×1011m3kg1s2; the Earth's mass is, therefore, M=(5.972245±0.000082)×1024kg and the Sun's mass is M=(1.988435±0.000027)×1030kg.

  • Received 5 June 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.2869

©2000 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jens H. Gundlach and Stephen M. Merkowitz

  • Department of Physics, Nuclear Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 85, Iss. 14 — 2 October 2000

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
APS and the Physical Review Editorial Office Continue to Support Researchers

COVID-19 has impacted many institutions and organizations around the world, disrupting the progress of research. Through this difficult time APS and the Physical Review editorial office are fully equipped and actively working to support researchers by continuing to carry out all editorial and peer-review functions and publish research in the journals as well as minimizing disruption to journal access.

We appreciate your continued effort and commitment to helping advance science, and allowing us to publish the best physics journals in the world. And we hope you, and your loved ones, are staying safe and healthy.

Ways to Access APS Journal Articles Off-Campus

Many researchers now find themselves working away from their institutions and, thus, may have trouble accessing the Physical Review journals. To address this, we have been improving access via several different mechanisms. See Off-Campus Access to Physical Review for further instructions.

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×