Cavendish
Definition
Cavendish refers to Henry Cavendish, an 18th-century British scientist who is famous for his experiment to measure the gravitational constant (G). His work paved the way for a more accurate understanding of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Henry Cavendish conducted his experiment in 1798 using a torsion balance.
- The Cavendish experiment was the first to measure the force of gravity between masses in a laboratory setting.
- Cavendish's results allowed for the calculation of Earth's density and mass.
- The measured value of the gravitational constant (G) was approximately $6.674 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{Nm}^2 / \text{kg}^2$.
- Cavendish's method involved measuring tiny deflections in lead spheres caused by gravitational attraction.
Review Questions
- What scientific instrument did Henry Cavendish use in his famous experiment?
- How did Cavendish's experiment contribute to our understanding of Earth's mass and density?
- What is the value of the gravitational constant (G) that Cavendish measured?
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Related terms
Gravitational Constant: $G$ is a proportionality constant used in Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, with an approximate value of $6.674 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{Nm}^2 / \text{kg}^2$.
Torsion Balance: A device used to measure very small forces through the twisting or rotating motion it causes on a suspended bar.
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: $F = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$ describes the force of gravity between two masses separated by a distance $r$.
