Cavendish experiment

noun

, Physics.

1. the experiment, conducted by Henry Cavendish, that determined the constant of gravitation by using a torsion balance and measuring the torsion produced by two masses placed at given distances from the masses on the balance.

Example Sentences

Indeed, his universal law was so formulated as to make every particle attract every other particle; and an investigation known as the Cavendish experiment—a research of great delicacy of manipulation—not only proves this, but leads also to a measurement of the earth's mean density, from which we can calculate approximately how much the earth actually weighs.

From Project Gutenberg

Francis, repetition of the Cavendish experiment by, 146.Beats in music, explanation of, 209.Beggary in Bavaria banished by Rumford, 164.Bernoulli's,

From Project Gutenberg

C. V. Boys having found that it is possible to draw quartz fibres of practically any degree of fineness, of great strength and true in their elasticity, determined to repeat the Cavendish experiment, using his newly invented fibres for the suspension of the torsion rod.

From Project Gutenberg

August I applied for 18,000 copies of the great skeleton form for computing Lunar Tabular Places, which were granted.—I reported, as usual, on various Papers for the Royal Society, and was still engaged on the Cavendish Experiment.—In the University of London I attended the meeting of Dec. 8th, on the reduction of Examiners' salaries, which were extravagant.—I furnished Col.

From Project Gutenberg

I had six and sometimes seven computers constantly at work, in the Octagon Room.—As in 1838 I had a great amount of correspondence with Mr Baily on the Cavendish Experiment.—I attended as regularly as I could to the business of the University of London.

From Project Gutenberg