XXI. Experiments to determine the density of the earth

Journal Article 1 Mention

Henry Cavendish•1798

Low Citations · 8th Percentile

311 citations · Oceanography

Open Access

Summary

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1 Sample Definition And Size

The study involved a torsion balance apparatus consisting of a 6‑foot wooden rod suspended horizontally by a thin wire, with two small lead spheres (~2 in diameter, ~0.73 kg each) attached at the ends. Two large lead spheres (~158 kg each) were positioned near the small spheres to exert gravitational attraction. The number of individual measurements (cases) recorded by Cavendish was 29, each yielding a density estimate of the Earth relative to water. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavendish_experiment?utm_source=openai))

2 Study Type

Experimental laboratory measurement using a torsion balance apparatus to determine the mean density of the Earth (an early gravitational experiment). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavendish_experiment?utm_source=openai))

3 Conflicts Of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared; the experiment was conducted in the late 18th century by Henry Cavendish, with no indication of external funding or competing interests influencing the results.

4 Results Summary

Cavendish reported the Earth's density as approximately 5.48 times that of water. The 29 individual measurements ranged around this value, with data showing densities such as 5.50, 5.61, 4.88, etc., averaging close to 5.48. ([aps.org](https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200806/physicshistory.cfm?utm_source=openai))

Abstract

Many years ago, the late Rev. John Michell, of this Society, contrived a method of determining the density of the earth, by rendering sensible the attraction of small quantities of matter; but, as he was engaged in other pursuits he did not complete the apparatus till a short time before his death, and did not live to make any experiments with it. After his death, the apparatus came to the Rev. Francis John Hyde Wollaston, Jacksonian Professor at Cambridge, who, not having conveniences for making experiments with it, in,the manner he could wish, was so good as to give it to me. The apparatus is very simple; it consists of a wooden arm, 6 feet long, made so as to unite great strength with little weight. This arm is suspended in an horizontal position, by a slender wire 40 inches long, and to each extremity is hung a leaden ball, about 2 inches in diameter; and the whole is in closed in a narrow wooden case, to defend it from the wind.

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