A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in China and one in Russia has devised two new ways to measure the gravitational constant. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes the two methods and how accurate they were. Stephan Schlamminger with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. writes a News & Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal edition.
Gravity is one of the four fundamental forces of nature (the others are the weak and strong interaction and electromagnetism). Despite hundreds of years of concerted effort by scientists around the world, there is still no explanation for how it works. Adding to the frustration is the fact that no one has been able to find a way to measure its actual force—scientists have been trying to do that for hundreds of years, as well. In modern times, researchers have come very close, however—the current accepted value is 6.67408 × 10−11 m3 kg-1 s-2. In this new effort, researchers working in China have modified a standard way of measuring the gravitational constant—torsion pendulums. The method was first devised by Henry Cavendish back in 1798, and since then, has been modified many times to make it more accurate.
In the first approach, the researchers built a device consisting of a silica plate coated with metal hung in the air by a wire. Two steel balls provided a gravitational attraction. The force of gravity was measured by noting how much the wire twisted. The second approach was similar to the first, except that the plate was hung from a spinning turntable that kept the wire in place. In such an apparatus, the gravitational force was measured by noting the rotation of the turntable.
In both approaches, the researchers added features to prevent interference from nearby objects and disturbances, including seismic. They report measurements of 6.674484 × 10−11 and 6.674184 × 10−11m3 kg-1 s-2—both of which, the team claims, are more precise than other previous measurements.
Explore further:
New measure of gravitational constant higher than expected
More information: Qing Li et al. Measurements of the gravitational constant using two independent methods, Nature (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0431-5
Abstract
The Newtonian gravitational constant, G, is one of the most fundamental constants of nature, but we still do not have an accurate value for it. Despite two centuries of experimental effort, the value of G remains the least precisely known of the fundamental constants. A discrepancy of up to 0.05 per cent in recent determinations of G suggests that there may be undiscovered systematic errors in the various existing methods. One way to resolve this issue is to measure G using a number of methods that are unlikely to involve the same systematic effects. Here we report two independent determinations of G using torsion pendulum experiments with the time-of-swing method and the angular-acceleration-feedback method. We obtain G values of 6.674184 × 10−11 and 6.674484 × 10−11 cubic metres per kilogram per second squared, with relative standard uncertainties of 11.64 and 11.61 parts per million, respectively. These values have the smallest uncertainties reported until now, and both agree with the latest recommended value within two standard deviations.

grandpa
4.7 / 5 (3) Aug 30, 2018Nik_2213
5 / 5 (1) Aug 30, 2018Shootist
1 / 5 (3) Aug 30, 2018meebe? G may fluctuate? How silly would that be?
Ojorf
4 / 5 (6) Aug 30, 2018grandpa
5 / 5 (3) Aug 30, 2018humy
4.3 / 5 (6) Aug 30, 2018grandpa
5 / 5 (2) Aug 30, 2018grandpa
5 / 5 (5) Aug 30, 2018https://physicswo...rements/
Nik_2213
5 / 5 (2) Aug 30, 2018DDayanov
5 / 5 (1) Aug 30, 2018Would like to see repeating of experiments at same place and different places and different times. This is good that there are many methods of measuring G.
Hyperfuzzy
1.5 / 5 (8) Aug 30, 2018andyf
5 / 5 (4) Aug 30, 2018Stop smoking the funny stuff and get back on your medication.
If it was possible to give you 0/5 I would do it.
grandpa
4 / 5 (2) Aug 30, 2018Hyperfuzzy
1.6 / 5 (7) Aug 30, 2018I propose Charge Exist, Charge is the Geometrical Center of an E Field and Exist as BiPolar! "Bet u can't do that"
Therefore no other particle or force exist that is not derivative! QED! Silly Wabbits!
granville583762
2.5 / 5 (4) Aug 31, 2018Gravity is one of four fundamental the weak the strong interaction and electromagnetism, despite years in 100s still no explanation for how it works no one has been able to find a way to measure its actual force except approximately 6.67408 × 10−11 m3 kg-1 s-2. by torsion devised by Henry Cavendish back in 1798
By modification of torsion a silica plate coated with metal hung by a wire two steel balls provided a gravitational attraction, the second the same but on turntable of rotation brought interesting results of non rotating 6.674484 × 10−11, whereas rotating brought 6.674184 × 10−11
In the world of gravitation at velocity of light a rotating gravitating force brought a lower gravitational force of 0.004495%
As the spinning axial earth rotates, orbiting its star which orbits its galaxy which orbits in innumerable galactically confined orbital's of galaxies, what is the true force Since Sir Isaac Newton's Gravity of 330years ago
Reg Mundy
1.6 / 5 (7) Aug 31, 2018EVERYTHING in our universe is expanding, including you, which incidentally we observe as the passage of time, a side effect of which is what we call "gravity". Until we turn the Cavendish experiment round, and measure acceleration rather than force, we ain't gonna get much further, 'cos there are so many other accelerations taking place (e.g. Earth expansion, Earth-Moon system expansion, Solar System expansion, etc., etc.)
Old_C_Code
not rated yet Aug 31, 2018Old_C_Code
5 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018The velocity of light: Imagine the equal potential surfaces as the center moves as they update relative to the center at the speed c; then, we how fast that wavelet moves past us! So if we measure T as increasing; in most distant stars; then applying logic, we are in an accelerating stream as necessary and sufficient!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018oops, thought we were trying to measure the average DC field of the Universe!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Hyperfuzzy
3 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Scale?
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Yeah you see the the intensity as a shape in your head; then add 'em up or superimpose!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (2) Aug 31, 2018Reg Mundy
1 / 5 (3) Aug 31, 2018Of course the space within galaxies is expanding. The "theory" you quote does not take account of the fact that we are expanding along with the interior galactic space and therefore do not perceive it.THINK, man, THINK!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (1) Aug 31, 2018Formal Logic, begin with the elements; space is not a rubber band you can stretch and bend! Axiomatic Nonsense!
jonesdave
3 / 5 (4) Aug 31, 2018Ahhh, Jeez. Not this eejit again! Sold any books, Reg? Lol.
Old_C_Code
not rated yet Aug 31, 2018RealityCheck
2.6 / 5 (5) Aug 31, 2018- How do extreme energy-mass bodies (called Black Holes) fit into your 'expansion' scenario if their own gravity-effect causes them to actually 'contract' once their cumulative energy-mass content reaches criticality for such contraction proceeding to 'below Event Horizon' radius?
- How long has your hypothesized 'expansion' scenario been going on; and after how long before our own galaxy expanded at 'lightspeed'?
- How long before angular momentum/velocities produce lightspeed limits/centrifugal force 'extremes' leading to spinning bodies' 'fragmenting'?
I'm open and listening. :)
Reg Mundy
1 / 5 (2) Sep 01, 2018Lightspeed increases as the same rate of expansion as the rest of the universe. Light consists of photons which themselves consist of two or more particles orbiting each other with expanding orbits, Light effectively moves along the long axis of the ellipse of the orbits due to relatavistic effect.
Angular momentum/centrifugal force? See above re lightspeed.
Reg Mundy
1 / 5 (2) Sep 01, 2018Oh dear, here we go with the insults. Whenever some old codger can't refute a logical argument, he resorts to verbal violence, the first refuge of an inferior mind....
Ojorf
3.7 / 5 (3) Sep 01, 2018Or.....
Oh dear, whenever some old codger cannot make a logical statement that corresponds to reality and refuses to listen to reason (the only refuge of an inferior mind) people get frustrated and resort to mocking and insulting the crackpot.
What else can they do?
Reason and logic just does not work.
Reg Mundy
1 / 5 (1) Sep 01, 2018OK, give me some reason and logic which disproves the theory, and I'll desist.
Old_C_Code
1 / 5 (2) Sep 01, 2018jonesdave
5 / 5 (2) Sep 01, 2018What 'theory'? I suggest looking up the scientific definition of that term. If you want it tested, then it'll be in the scientific literature, where other scientists can review it. Eh?
rrwillsj
3 / 5 (2) Sep 01, 2018How about some repeatable, verifiable conclusions drawn from empirical evidence using rational reason?
Anyone insisting upon "Logic" as a scientific tool needs to use "Abductive Reasoning" not "Deductive Speculation".
Though come to think of it? I have always been a sucker for "Seductive Comehither"!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (1) Sep 01, 2018Disrespect is to give oneself greater respect; nonsense is nonsense; a response should be helpful or absent; if the response is received as disrespect and/or without logic, simply more nonsense. Your trust in the chef is based upon?
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (1) Sep 01, 2018Old_C_Code
not rated yet Sep 01, 2018Reg Mundy
1 / 5 (2) Sep 02, 2018Everything is expanding, including you. You obviously haven't understood a word I've said. THINK, man, THINK!
humy
5 / 5 (2) Sep 02, 2018NO NO NO. You have misunderstood the theory of space expanding which does NOT imply all objects are necessarily moving away from each other. Space can be expanding on a cosmic scale (as it is) but without objects or particles moving apart on a relatively local scale. This is because there can be much local relative motions between objects or particles with those motions being such that they completely swamp or counteract the effects of the minute expansion of space there would be on a local scale. The effects of expanding space can only be seen and be significant across the arbitrary extremely 'large' distances.
I am afraid it is you that needs to "THINK" here.
granville583762
3 / 5 (2) Sep 02, 2018The galaxies are gravitationally merging into larger galaxies that all the observable galaxies are collapsing into a ginormous galaxy of epic proportions some expansion of collapsing galaxies!
humy
5 / 5 (3) Sep 02, 2018Straw man; Nobody who understand the basic theory says the galaxies are expanding. Meanwhile, all the most distance galaxies are moving away from us and thus the universe is very clearly expanding to anyone with half a brain; What's your point?
RealityCheck
2 / 5 (4) Sep 02, 2018Thanks.
RealityCheck
1.8 / 5 (5) Sep 02, 2018Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (1) Sep 02, 2018How'd we miss that? Like using the above logic! Logic is context Free!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (1) Sep 02, 2018i.e. Within the UoD! INOTHER WORDS, THE PODUS MODEMS APPLY THEREFORE IF s BLAH, BLAH, all the language may be proven T/F, i.e. nothing un-provable!
Hyperfuzzy
1 / 5 (1) Sep 02, 2018Ǽon
1 / 5 (2) Sep 02, 2018ellbeeyoo
5 / 5 (2) 7 hours agoReg Mundy
1 / 5 (1) 6 hours agoAgree. But in our universe, we exist in "time" which, to us, flows inexorably on in a steady state. In reality, it probably moves in fits and starts from one quantum to another, a quantum being of the order of a photon moving a planck length. My theory suggests that each quantum of time is chosen from the chaos according to our "laws" of physics, and those laws dictate our path thru "time". I ain't gonna try to explain the whole thing here, you will just have to borrow or buy
https://www.amazo...1HLDY978
Reg Mundy
1 / 5 (1) 5 hours agoPhotons are subject to expansion just as everything else in our universe. Again, I don't intend to provide at length what my theory suggests radiation is.
Like the man said, times they are a changing. No increase/decrease in angular momentum.