A METHOD TO MEASURE NEWTON GRAVITATIONAL CONSTANT

This paper describes the design and testing of a method to measure the Newtonian gravitational constant G. The method uses a torsion balance in which a small cylindrical mass is suspended from a slender fibre. Two large cylindrical masses produce a gravitationally induced torque on the small mass. This induced torque is balanced by the electrostati c torque produced by an electrometer. A servo-control system adjusts t he electrostatically induced torque so that the fibre does not twist d uring the measurement. The torque produced by the electrometer is cali brated by an acceleration method that uses torques much larger than th ose produced by the gravitational attraction of the large masses. Othe r features of the method include a reduction in sensitivity of the mea surement to density variations in the suspended mass, a measurement st rategy which reduces the effects of drift in the measurement and compu ter control of the measurement. Preliminary measurements of the terms used to calculate G showing an uncertainty of 2,5 parts in 10(4) can c urrently be achieved. The limiting factor at present is the variation in the gravitational potential seen as the apparatus accelerates. Indi cations are that further modifications and measurements will provide a value of G with an uncertainty of about 1 part in 10(4).