Determination of the Gravitational Constant Using a BIPM Balance

Published

December 12, 2022

Author(s)

Stephan Schlamminger, Leon Chao, Vincent Lee, David B. Newell, Clive Speake

Abstract

With the torsion balance developed at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the Newtonian constant of gravitation, $G$, can be measured with two methods. In the Cavendish method, the external gravitational torque is obtained from the equilibrium angle of the torsional oscillator and its torsion constant, which itself is determined from the measured period and the calculated moment of inertia. For the servo method, an electrostatic counter torque is applied. The counter torque can be calculated from measurements of the potential differences and the capacitance gradients. The systematic effects entering both measurement modes are very different, leading to a robust combined result. We expect to present a new result at CPEM 2022.

Proceedings Title

Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements

Conference Dates

December 12-16, 2022

Conference Location

Wellington, NZ

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Measurement, measurement techniques, measurement uncertainty, precision measurements, uncertainty.

Citation

Schlamminger, S. , Chao, L. , Lee, V. , Newell, D. and Speake, C. (2022), Determination of the Gravitational Constant Using a BIPM Balance, Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, Wellington, NZ, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=935031 (Accessed October 13, 2025)