Measurement of Newton's Constant Using a Torsion Balance with Angular Acceleration Feedback 论文

摘要

We measured Newton's gravitational constant $G$ using a new torsion balance method. Our technique greatly reduces several sources of uncertainty compared to previous measurements: (1) It is insensitive to anelastic torsion fiber properties; (2) a flat plate pendulum minimizes the sensitivity due to the pendulum density distribution; (3) continuous attractor rotation reduces background noise. We obtain $G\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(6.674215\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000092)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}{\mathrm{m}}^{3}{\mathrm{kg}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$; the Earth's mass is, therefore, ${M}_{\ensuremath{\bigoplus}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(5.972245\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000082)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{24}\mathrm{kg}$ and the Sun's mass is ${M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(1.988435\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000027)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{30}\mathrm{kg}$.