Cavendish Gravity Experiment: How to Build the Torsion Balance

Cavendish gravity experiment torsion balance

YouTube Screenshot (https://youtu.be/qqyxKSsXX7A)

By Andrew Bennett

In order to replicate the Cavendish gravity experiment and experimentally determine a value for the universal gravitation constant, I built a torsion balance. This revised design is longer than anything I've used before. It also gives me the flexibility to adjust the positions of the attachment points for the wire and the weights.

What Materials Are Included?

PVC pipe is used as the base for the brackets. I heated it with a heat gun, then molded it to the aluminum bar. The weights are currently dumbbell weights with a bottle cap turned into an adapter between the dumbbell mounting holes and the small bolts.

If viewing via email, click here to see the video.

What's Next in the Cavendish Gravity Demo Series?

In the next video, I'll be using the torsion balance as a torsion pendulum to evaluate the torsion constant of the different string and wire options for the Cavendish experiment. Please be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and this blog, so you don't miss the remaining videos about this physics experiment.

Miss a Previous Post?

Part 1: Recreating the Cavendish Gravity Experiment: My First 2 Attempts
Part 2: Get to Know the Math Behind the Cavendish Gravity Experiment
Part 3: Cavendish Gravity Experiment: How to Evaluate and Choose the Materials

Comments

3 Easy Science Experiments to Do with Your Kids

By Amber Bennett Strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills set kids up to succeed both in school and later in life. Encouraging them to be interested in these subjects is easier than you might think, especially if you start when they're young. Activities that encourage children to be curious and creative will spark a love of learning. Plus, science experiments and other hands-on STEM projects are a fun way to bond with your kids. Here are three easy science experiments that preschoolers and early elementary students will enjoy. 1. Leakproof Plastic Bag A (age 5) doing the leakproof plastic bag experiment. Our preschooler loves to do any experiment that involves water. I can give her a couple of beakers, and she'll happily pour water back and forth between them, especially if I put a few drops of food coloring in each beaker so she can mix the colors. Another great activity that involves water is the leakproof plastic bag. All you need are: Large plastic

How Virtual Currency Mining Is Hurting the Environment - Science in the News

Datacenters used for cryptocurrency mining use a lot of energy. By Amber Bennett Although cryptocurrencies are virtual, they are having a tangible impact on our environment. Research shows that cryptocurrencies actually are worse for the earth than other types of money. So, why is that? Simply put, it's because of the resources needed to run the supercomputers that mine Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. Energy Use The datacenters used for mining use large amounts of electricity. For example, the global Bitcoin network uses more energy than entire countries . In fact, according to the University of Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index , the network's power demand is the same as more than 14 million typical American homes. Most of the energy used in the datacenters comes from fossil fuels instead of renewable resources. Plus, datacenters' high energy use can destabilize the electric grid. Materials Mining Another way that cryptocurrency impacts the environme

10 Science Channels That Are Worth a Sub on YouTube

If you're going to spend time watching videos on YouTube, why not learn something while you're at it? Whether you like slow-motion videos of explosions, crazy chemistry and physics demos, or simple explanations of complex science concepts, the following 10 YouTube channels are worth your subscription. By Amber Bennett 1. Physics Girl Source: YouTube/Physics Girl Dianna Cowern's Physics Girl channel features demos, experiments, and other cool stuff (be sure to check out her 1,800-mile test drive of a hydrogen fuel cell car ). If you have just started studying physics or would like to brush up on the basics, we recommend starting with this playlist . 2. Vsauce Source: YouTube/Vsauce Michael Stevens' Vsauce channel covers a wide variety of subjects, including space, art, physics, and human behavior. His physics videos answer such questions as " Which way is down ?" and " How much does a shadow weigh ?" You can check out his physics videos on this p

Bennett Science Blog

Search This Blog